Chaos Erupts at GHMC Budget Meeting as BRS and Congress Corporators Clash
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) council meeting on Thursday turned chaotic with physical confrontations and heated arguments between BRS and Congress corporators. The session, meant to discuss the municipal budget for 2025-26, quickly spiraled into disorder.
During the meeting, BRS corporators protested against the approval of the budget without prior discussion in the council. They accused the government of failing to deliver on its promises. Chanting slogans and holding placards, BRS members attempted to approach the Mayor’s podium. In response to the disorder, Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi suspended the protesting BRS corporators.
The GHMC council approved a budget of Rs 8,440 crore for 2025-26. Mayor Vijayalakshmi presented the budget, emphasizing allocations for key infrastructure and civic projects. The session was significant as Opposition corporators hinted at a potential no-confidence motion against the Mayor.
However, tensions escalated when BRS corporators tore up copies of the budget and rushed to the podium, chanting slogans. Congress members stepped in to counter the protest, leading to a physical altercation between the two groups. The situation quickly became volatile, with pushing and shoving disrupting the proceedings.
Within minutes, chaos took over the meeting. Marshals had to intervene as BRS corporators threw placards at the Mayor’s podium. The marshals detained the protesting members and escorted them to the police station, restoring a semblance of order to the session.
BRS corporators accused the Congress-led government of failing to implement its six promises in the state. They alleged mismanagement of funds in Greater Hyderabad and claimed that welfare and development projects were stagnating. Placards displayed during the protest highlighted these concerns.
Adding to the drama, BJP corporators staged a protest outside the GHMC headquarters earlier in the day. They arrived at the council meeting by begging, symbolizing the financial struggles of corporators who claimed they were not receiving funds for their divisions. They also pointed out the GHMC’s worsening debt situation.
Later in the meeting, corporators raised additional demands, including opposing the demolition of Goshamahal Stadium and resisting the proposed construction of Osmania Hospital at the site. The session, intended for budget discussions, instead became a stage for political clashes and dissent.
