Mayor skips Seoul trip to avoid criticism

After facing the flak for going on what was called an “unnecessary” tour to Singapore two months ago, mayor Sunil Prabhu and group leaders from all political parties cancelled their week-long scheduled visit to Seoul, South Korea, to attend a conference on water.

After facing the flak for going on what was called an “unnecessary” tour to Singapore two months ago, mayor Sunil Prabhu and group leaders from all political parties cancelled their week-long scheduled visit to Seoul, South Korea, to attend a conference on water.

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Prabhu and the group leaders were to leave today for the Seoul conference, but fearing criticism for not being in the city when Ganesh festival is round the corner and the pothole situation has not been resolved, the visit was cancelled.

“I had received the invitation to attend the conference in South Korea. But as mayor of the city, I felt I should remain here during the arrival of Lord Ganesh. We have to ensure that all preparations for the festival are completed, so I cancelled the trip,” said Prabhu, who visited Middle Vaitarna dam on Wednesday.

A senior leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), requesting anonymity, said the leaders decided to cancel the trip as the media had criticised them severely for the Singapore visit.

Rais Sheikh, group leader of Samajwadi Party, said he had not received official communication from the mayor about the trip. Dyanraj Nikam, group leader of Congress, said that as it is the festive season, leaders found it important to stay in the city.