Ashraf comes under fire

By CT reporter
MANGALORE : The erstwhile city mayor K Ashraf came under fire from opposition parties at the first council meeting held here recently after the election of new mayor and deputy mayor. The opposition members who launched a scathing attack on Ashraf blamed him for immersing the corporation neck deep in debt trap during his tenure.
Opposition member Mariamma Thomas said it has been two years since contractors who have undertaken various projects for MCC were paid their bills. Ashraf though had given approval for several works, had not cleared the bills of the same, she complained.
Stating that corruption was reigning supreme in all corridors of MCC, Mariamma Thomas said Ashraf had functioned without questioning anyone nor can one cite any such example of him taking action against those indulging in corruption.
"The city corporation is in debt trap and who will repay the same if mayors did not put in any effort ?", this was her question.
Opposition leader Shanker Bhat who also spoke said the corporation council meetings resembled no less than a market and suggested the new mayor to give top priority towards maintenance of discipline in corporation meetings.
Legislator Yogish Bhat who also spoke said only 20 per cent of the underground drainage works had been completed in the city so far.
Finally, the outgoing mayor who stood up to speak concluded the meeting seeking apology from all members if at all he had erred during his tenure.