Yet, that is exactly what has happened in Vadodara, where a letter from Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria -- stating that the VMC would not install MLA-quota funded streetlights in private housing societies if the societies did not bear the expenses -- has effectively split the party representatives. If they support the civic chief, they (read the councillors) go against the legislators; if they don't, they damage the interests of the VMC, where the party is in the majority.

Aloria's letter to District Planning Officer Ranjanben Vala is triggered by the VMC's annual electricity bill of Rs 5 crores, much of which is generated by the 30,000-odd streetlights in the city. The VMC is currently trying to determine how many of these are in private housing societies prior to asking them to install electricity meters and bear the expenses.

Under the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation Act, the VMC is not supposed to provide civic amenities in private areas; however, it does install streetlights on (the three BJP) MLAs' suggestions and foot the bill they run up.

It is this basic contradiction that the party is now trying hard to reconcile. By all indications especially with the general elections around the corner the going will not be smooth.

``(The civic chief's decision) will reflect badly on the party. When Aloria returns from leave, we'll ask him to delay implementing the decision'', says city party chief and MLA Bhupendra Lakhawala.

Office-bearers of the VMC's elected wing, predictably, preferred to be tight-lipped. ``The decision is in the right direction, but if we support it, it'll go against party interests'', says one on condition of anonymity. ``Things should take their own course.''

MLA Yogesh Patel, however, is much less cautious. ``The VMC has to provide basic amenities like water, electricity, drainage and roads. If the services can be provided at the old pols, than why not in the housing societies?'', he asks.

Executive Engineer (Streetlights) Subodh Shah answers that such services are provided only in VMC-owned areas; in housing societies it could thus apply to only public streets or townplanning roads.

Agreeing that the VMC should not have to bear the bill for the MLA-quota streetlights, Civil Supplies Minister and Sayajigunj MLA Jaspal Singh says he's suggested that civic officers collect a token sum of Rs 5 from each house in the societies towards the power bill.

But Lakhawala and Patel rule out any compromise. ``Aloria will have to listen to the ruling party'', says Lakhawala, while Patel warns society residents would launch an agitation otherwise.

Complicating things further is Vala's claim that she is yet to receive the controversial letter, supposedly sent by the collector on April 17. But she says she has proposed that the MLAs suggest projects other than streetlights.

Her request doesn't seem to have cut much ice with Patel at least, who says all his suggestions this year are for streetlights. Singh, too, says they benefit more people ``than do roads''.

With the lights issue hotting up, Aloria certainly has a warm welcome awaiting his return.