Junaid Azim Mattu who was removed as the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Mayor after he lost a no-confidence motion moved against him accused National Conference of being hand in glove with Bhartiya Janata Party.“Didn’t want to speak about technical realities of today’s floor test in SMC and it’s result but the record needs to be set straight about National Conference’s exclusive and facilitatory role in ensuring the success of the BJP-engineered, orchestrated and backed ‘No Confidence Motion’, Mattu tweeted. 41 Corporators including former Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran voted in favour of No Confidence Motion. Congress Corporators abstained while BJP, independent and 4 Corporators from Naitonal Conference voted against incumbent Mayor. National Conference shortly after the ‘No Confidence Motion’ expelled four of its Corporators from the party. Those who were expelled include GN Sofi, Danish Bhat, Neelofar and Majid Shallo. “The vote of ”No Confidence Motion” against me, and the @JKPC_ (Jammu and Kashmir People”s Conference) has been passed in the SMC with 42 votes out of 70. The @BJP4India, @JKNC_ (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference) and some independents have polled against the @JKPC_ and @INCIndia abstaining whip where 28 Corporators abstained,” Mattu said in a series of tweets.
“I respect the verdict of the Corporation,” he said.Mattu, who has survived a no-confidence motion in the past, claimed the BJP and the National Conference have joined hands in Srinagar. “The seemingly unthinkable seems to have happened as @JKNC_ and @BJP4India have come together in Srinagar. But more on that later,” he said.“Time to spend some time with my family after nearly four months of our war against #COVID19,” he added.Mattu said he is taking the verdict with humility and his chin up.“For those who know me – they would know that I take this verdict with humility and my chin up! I am committed to serving the people of Srinagar to the best of my abilities now and also in the future,” he said.Over the past few days, a series of meetings were held at the residence of another controversial corporator and Mattu”s party colleague Sheikh Imran.While Imran, who was removed as deputy mayor last December, has been laying low ahead of Tuesday”s vote, he is believed to be the key player in removing Mattu from the mayor”s post.The Congress, which has 17 corporators, had issued a whip asking its members not to take part in the no-confidence proceedings. (KNT)