India, March 31 -- A slighted former mayor and a string of protocol lapses at public functions - it was all too much for the opposition in the BMC, who staged a walkout from the general body meeting on Monday.

The walkout took place after mayor Ritu Tawde invited the group leaders of various political parties to her office on Monday, for an impromptu meeting to discuss protocol issues.

Leader of the opposition Kishori Pednekar (Shiv Sena-UBT) turned up on time but Tawde was closeted with her Mahayuti colleagues. Amey Gole, Shiv Sena group leader, requested the opposition members led by Pednekar to wait in the ante chamber.

Pednekar, Tawde's predecessor and a four-time corporator, was not pleased at being asked to wait. She said, "Altho...