MANGALORE: Human agony often gets lost in the melee of political one-upmanship.

This came to light during the Mangalore City Corporation Council meeting held on Saturday.

Humanitarian gesture

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the ruling Congress clashed over the Rs.10, 000 given sometime ago as a humanitarian gesture to a poor person in Kulur to carry out the last rites of his mother.

The then Mayor Purandaradasa Kulur had given the money for the immediate expenses of the bereaved family.

Raked up

However, the issue was raked up by BJP councillor Mariyamma Thomas and Muralidhar Bolar at the meeting.

Ms. Thomas and Mr. Bolar objected to the gesture at the meting and said the corporation cannot indulge in such acts of "benevolence".

Ms. Thomas wanted the money to be recovered from the salary of the Chief Accounts Officer of the corporation.

Outlining the agony of Mr. Mendonca during that time, Mr. Kulur told the Mayor K. Ashraf that his act of benevolence is being politicised by the Bharatiya Janta Party councillors.

It is a shame that the corporation has to endure such debates on the floor of the council.

In need

He said Mr. Mendonca had a bed-ridden 84-year-old father and a brother who was mentally challenged and at that time Mr. Mendonca had no money to carry out the last rites of his mother.

Support

Congress councillors such as former mayor K. Diwakar, Sesamma, Mahabala Maarla and Kamalaksha Kundar supported the donation and asked Mr. Ashraf not to allow anymore debates on the issue.

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