A game of political one-upmanship has begun in the BMC over last week’s ruckus in the civic house over the Mahalaxmi racecourse issue. While the Shiv Sena has demanded that Congress corporator Sheetal Mhatre be disqualified, Congress has decided to approach the chief minister to urge him to ask Yamini Jadhav and Kishori Pednekar, who were involved in the fracas to step down.
In a letter written to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, Congress opposition leader in the BMC Dnyanraj Nikam said, “Being autocratic and strangling democracy has been a part of Shiv Sena’s legacy. Both Jadhav and Pednekar have offended the BMC house by attacking Ms Mhatre. Hence they should be removed from the post of corporator as per clause of 18-1 of BMC act 1888.”
Last week, the BMC house had witnessed a catfight with women corporators of Shiv Sena manhandling Ms Mhatre over the Maha-laxmi racecourse issue. Congress’ Mhatre had alleged Shiv Sena corporators Jadhav and Pednekar beat her in the scuffle.
Mr Nikam has asked the CM to probe the incident and instruct the concerned authorities to sack Jadhav and Pednekar from their posts.
He has also targeted mayor Sunil Prabhu in his letter sent to the CM. The mayor often rejects the right of discussion of Opposition parties and passes the proposals, Mr Nikam added.
For indiscipline, the corporators at fault can be suspended from the house for a certain period under civic act 36(1), said civic sources. However, no action has been taken on the issue for almost two weeks.