Shimla, Oct. 31 -- The monthly meeting of Shimla municipal corporation witnessed noisy scenes on Thursday as BJP councillors protested against the state government's decision of increasing mayor and deputy mayor's tenure to five years. The meeting, chaired by mayor Surender Chauhan, was repeatedly disrupted as BJP councillors protested inside the House, accusing the government of tampering with the established roster system for rotational posts. Congress defended the extension and called it as an administrative reform for "continuity and stability". In a recent cabinet meeting, it was decided to extend the terms of the mayor and deputy mayor of the MC from two and a half years to five years. . The term of Shimla mayor was slated to end on November 15 after which the post was to be reserved for women according to the roster. In Shimla MC,women represent 21 of the 34 municipal wards. As per the roster, a female councillor would have become the mayor. As the meeting began, the BJP councillors raised slogans and staged a sit-in in front of the mayor's chair, demanding that the roster system-under which the mayor and deputy mayor posts were to rotate every two and a half years, with a provision for women's reservation-be restored. Amid the chaos, mayor Chauhan tried to pacify the protesters and offered to send a proposal to the state government reflecting the sentiments of the House. However, the BJP councillors rejected the offer, insisting that the matter be brought before the House for a fresh vote. As the uproar continued, the proceedings were adjourned till after lunch. BJP councillors Asha Sharma said that the change violated the previous arrangement, under which the mayor and deputy mayor were elected for half terms to ensure rotation and gender representation. "We are not against any individual, but against the manipulation of the roster. Women have a right to their turn as per the rules," said councillor Kamlesh Mehta. Congress councillor from the Nabha ward, Simi Nanda, said she stands with the government and the party, but the municipal corporation's roster, which was set for two and a half years each, should remain in place. "We are only against this decision because the party's national line is that everyone should be represented," she said. Congress councilor Kanta Suyal said that this time, the number of women in the MC is higher, so women should also be represented. She demanded that equal representation for women be ensured in corporation.htc...