RAIPUR: The newly elected Mayor of Bilaspur, BJP’s Puja Vidhani, had a slip of tongue during the swearing-in ceremony – she pledged to uphold “communalism” instead of “sovereignty”.
She mistakenly read out, “I, Puja Vidhani, pledge true allegiance and loyalty to the Constitution of India. I will uphold the ‘sampradayikta’ (communalism) and integrity of India.” What she was supposed to say “samprabhuta”.
A viral video shows people on the dais immediately correcting her upon hearing the word ‘sampradayikta’. She was asked to retake the oath and she read out correctly the second time.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at Mungeli Naka Ground in the presence of deputy chief minister Arun Sao and Union minister of state for urban development Tokhan Sahu. After the ceremony, a ritual was conducted with Gangajal and Vidhani performed a prayer before taking her seat as mayor.
Congress criticised her blunder, calling it “BJP’s drama” and an attempt to mislead the public. Vidhani is a former leader of opposition in Bilaspur Municipal Corporation, and was first elected corporator in 1998. She has served twice as state general secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha and was also state president of the women’s wing.
Vidhani is the 12th mayor of Bilaspur and the second woman to hold the post after Vani Rao, who was elected a decade ago. BJP won 49 of the 70 wards of BMC, while Congress won only 18. Three wards went to independent candidates.