Nellore: The selection of wards under the `Indiramma' scheme in the Congress-led Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC), is turning out to be a controversial one, with the Communist Party (Marxist), an ally of the Congress, staging a dharna before the NMC on Thursday, in protest against the discrimination in the selection.

`Sidelined'

It may be pointed out that 16 divisions, all represented by Congress corporators were selected for the `Indiramma' wards, without giving any scope for other Opposition parties, including the TDP, which is having 20 corporators. Mayor Pulimi Sailaja and Commissioner C. Umapathy have claimed that the list was prepared by the Government, a plea which was rejected by the CPI(M).

The dharna was led by Deputy Mayor Madala Venkateswarlu of the

CPI(M), who since the beginning has been opposing the stand of the NMC. Even in respect of providing facilities in NMC by virtue of being the Deputy Mayor, he has been sidelined by the authorities.

Procedure flayed

Addressing a meeting at the entrance of NMC, he lashed out at the procedure adopted by the NMC, in selecting the divisions and later passing the buck to the Government. He pointed that there were several divisions, which did not have minimum facilities and have been crying for attention since a long time.

Unilateral proposal

Mr. Venkateswarlu, wanted to know why the issue of selection pertaining to `Indiramma' wards, was not discussed in the NMC and everything kept under wraps.

He made it clear that his party will not be a silent spectator and will oppose any such unilateral proposal.

He demanded a uniform procedure to be followed, in consultation with all the Opposition parties. Earlier, the party took out a rally in the main streets of town and raised slogans against the selection of wards.

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