Post-budget party 'kicks' up a row

Moreover, a group of photo and visual media persons who went to shoot the party faced wrath of a few councillors. Some angry corporators tried to assault the scribes. In the melee, few councillors damaged the camera of a local television channel.

This was followed by a wordy duel between the scribes and the elected representatives.

It all happened on Wednesday afternoon when around 100 people comprising 30 councillors of the CMC accompanied with the officers, the staff of the CMC came to Gosai Ghat to celebrate the presentation of budget. CMC president Arun Kumar and commissioner Ramaswamy led the brigade. Surprisingly, the liquor bottles were allegedly transported in the government vehicle.

The members and other officials arrived to the farm house in government vehicles.

No sooner the media persons arrived, president Arun Kumar, Commissioner Ramaswamy and few members fled. Almost all the members were seen in an inebriated state, who started abusing the scribes. Some even tried to assault the media persons.

Taxpayers money

The incident has invited flak from vice-president of CMC M J Chikkanna and people of Mandya city. They have questioned the commitment of the elected representatives and the authorities. “Is there a provision in the budget to hold such party and feast on non-vegetarian food and liquor,” asks a youth.

Criticism

The involvement of higher officials has invited wider criticism. CMC Commissioner Ramaswamy was not available for comments despite repeated attempts to contact him.

When contacted, president Arun Kumar admitted attending the party, but said it was a precedent to host a luncheon after the budget was presented for long years now. “It is not the precedent set by me,” he added. Vice-president Chikkanna said he did not attend the party. “I had always advised against hosting such get-together after the budget,” he told Deccan Herald.

In Mandya, the CMC office looked deserted as almost all the officials and staff members set on the feast. Interestingly, a few women members and officials also attended the party.