Chandigarh Mayor's Mysterious Russia Trip: Private Visit or Unsanctioned Official Business?

The air in Chandigarh is thick with questions surrounding Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla's recent sojourn to Russia. What began as an apparent private trip has quickly spiraled into a full-blown controversy, with the Municipal Corporation (MC) vehemently denying any official involvement or expenditure, leaving a trail of unanswered questions about the true nature and funding of her international travel.

Sources reveal that Mayor Babla's office had initially sought approval for a delegation comprising officials to visit Russia.

However, this proposal was explicitly rejected by the authorities. Despite the clear denial for an official delegation, the Mayor proceeded with her trip, fueling speculation and raising eyebrows across political circles and among citizens alike.

The heart of the matter lies in the conflicting narratives emerging from the Mayor's camp.

While Mayor Babla herself has stated it was a "private trip for my son's admission" to an educational institution, she has also alluded to attending "a conference in Russia related to Smart City and other things." This dual explanation has only intensified the demand for clarity, as an official role in a conference would typically entail MC sanction and potentially public expenditure.

Further deepening the mystery, the MC Commissioner, Anindita Mitra, has categorically stated that the corporation received no formal intimation regarding the Mayor's trip and, crucially, did not bear any expenses related to it.

This official stance directly contradicts any implication of the trip being a sanctioned civic duty, placing the onus squarely on the Mayor to explain the circumstances of her travel and its financial backing.

Adding another layer to the narrative, sources close to the Mayor's office indicated that her itinerary included a "Smart City" conference in Moscow, alongside visits to other prominent Russian cities.

If indeed she participated in such an event in an official capacity, the lack of prior MC approval and financial transparency becomes a significant point of contention.

The controversy extends beyond just finances and purpose. Even the use of official protocol before her departure, such as calling the MC Joint Commissioner, has been called into question.

If the trip was purely private, why engage official channels? This further blurs the lines between her personal and public persona during the overseas visit.

Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have seized upon the issue, demanding complete transparency from Mayor Babla. They argue that as a public representative, her international travel should be open to scrutiny, especially when conflicting accounts surface about its purpose and funding.

The lack of clear communication from the Mayor's office has only exacerbated their demands for accountability.

As the Mayor prepares to return, all eyes are on her to provide a comprehensive explanation. She has promised to share full details upon her return, a promise that the public and political adversaries are eagerly awaiting.

Until then, the saga of the Mayor's Russian excursion remains shrouded in a captivating blend of secrecy, conflicting statements, and unanswered questions, leaving the citizens of Chandigarh wondering if this was truly a private family matter or an unsanctioned official engagement.