UNION MINISTER of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri on Thursday played the peacemaker between Mayor Sunil Sood and MLA Arif Aqueel, whose four supporters were thrown out of the Mayor-in-Council (MiC) after tussle between them and the Mayor.
Sources said that Sood might be forced to take the four corporators back into the MiC following Pachauri’s direct intervention. Pachauri – who is known as mentor of Sood – also reportedly asked the Mayor to take the four corporators – Amir Aqueel, Mohammad Ali, Shahid Ali and Munawwar — back into the MiC.
The Union Minister and senior Congress leader visited the residence of MLA Arif Aqueel and held discussions with him on the issue, the main intention being to pacify Aqueel who had played important role in getting ticket for Sood during the last municipal elections.
Later, Pachauri is said to have asked Sood to take the four members back into the MiC saying that the infighting does not send right signals within or outside the parties and that the hatchet should be buried before any damage is done, sources said.
Sunil Sood had removed the four Congress corporators from the MiC after they walked out of the meeting of MiC on January 18, charging the Mayor with dictatorial conduction of MiC meetings and of corruption. The meeting of MiC had been called to seek approval of the members regarding the proposal of demanding officials on deputation from state government.
{{/usCountry}}Sunil Sood had removed the four Congress corporators from the MiC after they walked out of the meeting of MiC on January 18, charging the Mayor with dictatorial conduction of MiC meetings and of corruption. The meeting of MiC had been called to seek approval of the members regarding the proposal of demanding officials on deputation from state government.
{{/usCountry}}The issue had worsened after the four corporators decided to lodge complaint with the State Congress officials.
However, the Mayor had stood his ground. Now the intervention of Pachauri would force Sood to take the members back into the MiC fold, sources said. Sood could not be contacted for comments.