The Bagepalli TMC was witness to an event, the likes of which had never been seen in the history of the town.

The president, vice-president and members of the TMC together locked out the municipal office, protesting against the style of functioning of the TMC chief officer and other officials. Later, though the meeting was held, the atmosphere was very tense.

Passersby seemed to be enjoying free amusement, when a number of citizens rushed into the hall to take the officials to task. Ultimately, the village leaders had to intervene to diffuse the situation.

Road widening work has been going on in the town for the last few days. Owners of shops in the corporation buildings have voluntarily begun to demolish their shops. Some of them have already sold off the metal rods in their shops, while some others have made away with the iron doors. The chief officer, who was asked to look into the matter, had been missing for a while.

The protesters gheraoed the office, and demanded that the team - which has allegedly been involved in several irregularities over the last few years - be transferred. The chief officer, who arrived at the office, came in for severe flak from TMC member Narayan. The situation was tense, but many passersby seemed to be enjoying the heated argument between the chief officer and the TMC member. The TMC member went to the extent of saying, “You officers do not react to the people’s problems, and are not needed in this office. Leave immediately.”

When the chief officer tried to explain, the members were unwilling to listen. Later, when the members arrived at the auditorium to discuss the problems with president Sarojamma and vice-president A N Murthy, some of the members expressed their displeasure by sitting on the floor. They said that they would hold a protest until the chief officer was transferred. Some of the members then had a heated discussion with the officials. Many members of the public also took this chance to enter the meeting and hold discussions with the officials.