Karnataka: He who brandishes the slipper passes the budget

Bidar: Governance plumbed to a new low during the budget meeting of the Bidar City Municipal Council on Monday, with CMC president Shreedevi Karanje brandishing — yes, her slipper — in order to assert her authority and put in place those protesting the “unilateral” budget presented by her.

Three members of the ruling JD(S) — Shivakumar, Manohar Dande and Mokers — alleged Shreedevi and Commissioner G Ramadasthe of not convening a preliminary meeting while preparing the budget. As the trio rushed in to the well of the house, an agitated Shreedevi brandished her footwear to them. As if this weren’t enough, a launched a barrage of expletives against the the three CMC members.

With the situation getting out of hand, some members of the CMC managed to coax the flagrant president out of the house. Despite the pandemonium, the president was successful in getting approval for the Rs 25.22-crore budget. 23 of the total 35 members of the CMC were present in the house. 20 members approved the budget.

Discussions and dissent are part and parcel of the proceedings of our governing bodies. But slippers?

In a release after the incident, Shreedevi accused the trio of deliberately disturbing proceedings.

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