MUMBAI: The BMC’s proposal to replace Mahindra Scorpio-N SUVs with six new Toyota Innova Crysta vehicles for key political office-bearers led to a heated political exchange at Thursday’s Standing Committee meeting, with the opposition questioning the expenditure and the ruling BJP accusing it of going back on a decision that was taken unanimously by all political parties.Congress corporator and BMC party leader Ashraf Azmi objected to the proposed purchase, saying the civic body should avoid spending on expensive vehicles at a time when it is facing financial constraints. He argued that the BMC should focus on financial discipline instead of upgrading official vehicles.The BJP immediately hit back, claiming that the decision to replace the vehicles had been taken unanimously at a meeting attended by leaders of all political parties.BJP group leader Ganesh Khankar said the controversy was unnecessary as there had been consensus among all parties. “The next time such a decision is taken, I will ensure it is signed by all present and in agreement with such decisions before it is approved, so that such controversies do not arise,” he said.Standing Committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde also defended the proposal, saying opposition members were aware of and had agreed to the decision earlier. “It is incorrect to now create an issue over something that was discussed and accepted by all political parties,” he said.The discussion soon turned into a heated exchange, with ruling party members objecting to Azmi raising the issue as the proposal was not listed on the day’s agenda. They demanded that the chairman restrict the discussion to listed business. Azmi, however, maintained that he was highlighting the need for financial discipline in the BMC, which was essential at the present time.The controversy comes a day after the BMC administration proposed spending around ₹1.5 crore to purchase six Toyota Innova Crysta vehicles for the Deputy Mayor, Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition, and chairpersons of the Standing, Improvements and Education Committees.The civic administration said political office-bearers had requested more comfortable vehicles for long commutes across the city and official site inspections. The proposal follows the allotment of Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid vehicles to Mayor Ritu Tawde and Additional Municipal Commissioners.
