BJP supports PMC boss

PUNE, March 16: Neglecting the swelling support to the movement against unceremonious transfer of Arun Bhatia from the post of Municipal ...

PUNE, March 16: Neglecting the swelling support to the movement against unceremonious transfer of Arun Bhatia from the post of Municipal Commissioner Bharatiya Janata Party corporators today called on the new Municipal Commissioner Girish Pradhan to extend him their full support.

The sources said the BJP corporators, led by Deputy Mayor Bhagwan Kshirsagar, met Pradhan yesterday evening and urged him to continue the drive against the illegal constructions and tax recovery, launched by Bhatia. The BJP corporators, the sources said, assured Pradhan of full support if he continued the actions taken by Bhatia.

Interestingly, the corporators of BJP8217;s partner Shiv Sena were conspicuous by their absence. The Sena sources said they would prefer to wait and watch before deciding any policy on the issue.

The absence of BJP and Sena corporators from the day long dramatic and exciting developments in front of the Mahanagarpalika Bhavan, was noticed by the agitators since a number of corporators visited them to announce their support even if their respective political parties are yet to take official position over the issue.

The crowd cheered bureaucrat-turned social activist Avinash Dharmadhikari when he said in his concluding speech that only BJP and Sena corporators had not visited them so far. He appealed the BJP-Sena corporators to raise above the politics and support the cause.

The agitators had a pleasant surprise when Vitthal Tupe, Lok Sabha member from Pune, visited them to support the movement. Addressing the agitators, Tupe said he had faxed a letter to Chief Minister Narayan Rane requesting him to reinstate Arun Bhatia.

Tupe said he had decided to support the agitation as he was elected representative of Puneites. He urged them to not to bring the political parties in the agitation. Later talking to media persons, Tupe made it clear that he had supported the movement in his personal capacity. When asked about Congress party8217;s stand on Bhatia8217;s transfer, Tupe replied that Pune City District Congress Committee president Mohan Joshi would make the official announcement.