BMC clears decks for Khairnar8217;s return

Khairnar8217;s sudden reinstatement came as a surprise as the BMC on Monday withdrew its appeal before a division bench of the Bombay High Court challenging the verdict of a single judge, who had ordered his reinstatement.

A composed Khairnar described his reinstatement as a 8220;moral and legal victory8221; and said: 8220;I am neither happy nor unhappy with the news. My wife is very happy. It was difficult explaining to her why I had to sit at home though I was in the right. She felt I may never get justice. She is contented.8221;

Nalinakshan, however, sought to downplay the issue saying: 8220;I thought it was wrong to make him sit home while he was drawing his full salary and perks. So I decided to make him work for it.8221;

Dispensing with the jest, he added, 8220;It is better late than never. The six years of prolonged litigation had no meaning. The high court also has come out strongly on the issue of encroachments. We want to strengthen our department with Khairnar8217;s vast experience. I shall utilise him to see that all the roads and pavements are cleared of encroachments.8221;

Asked whether he would grant an extension to Khairnar, who is due to retire on June 1, Nalinakshan replied, 8220;We shall decide on that in a month.8221;

But not everyone was upbeat at the turn of events. Mayor Hareshwar Patil remarked: 8220;The commissioner did not inform the House leader or the group leaders of the decision to withdraw the appeal. He should have taken us into confidence. You must look at the past. There is something called discipline, which was not adhered to by Khairnar.8221;

But since the court had pronounced its verdict, Patil said his party would abide by it.

Nalinakshan returned: 8220;I can8217;t read the mayor8217;s mind. I feel whatever I have done is right.8221;

Returning to the controversy that led to his suspension, Khairnar said he had not made any personal attacks against politicians and even today many are with him morally even against their partoes8217; compulsions. 8220;I was after the illegal structures of Dawood Ibrahim, which flourished in a display of might. I attacked Sharad Pawar because he was the chief minister at that time and as head of the government he was aware of the threat from the underworld mafia. He should have supported me. Today those same incomplete, unoccupied structures are full fledged-buildings and hitting out at them would be harming innocent residents who have purchased these places,8221; he said.

Saying he had no expectations about an extension, Khairnar added: 8220;I shall do what I can in this limited time-frame.8221; With uncharacteristic caution, he added: 8220;I shall have to be cautious with regard to cases enmeshed in litigation. I shall have to decide on the basis of the files placed on my table. It will take time to study them.8221;

Asked whether his remarks indicated a softening of his no-nonsense stand on encroachments, he replied: 8220;No. The situations and equations may have changed but there is no change in me. Nor will there be a change in my style of work. I will do it honestly, sincerely and with devotion.8221;

Asked whether the disbanded special demolition squad which had been placed at his disposal would be reassembled, he said: 8220;The commissioner has assured me all support. I am sure I shall get what I ask him.8221;

Khairnar said he had failed to stir up a peoples8217; movement against corruption.8220;Outside the BMC I failed to initiate any movement. I did not get active support from society. After retirement, I shall go back to my social work and continue to do so till my dying day. I shall work for the welfare of the people, who have morally supported me all these years. My return is a boost to those persevering with their small battles.8221;