KDMC mayor powers her way to car

November 2: The mayor of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) Sharayu Pradhan is no `docile housewife’ who has wandered into the corridors of power simply by chance. Ample evidence of this came up when she refused to accept a hand-me-down car instead of her official Contessa.

Pradhan was divested of the car soon after she assumed office as it had gone for repairs, and was given the KDMC standing committee chairperson’s car as a standby arrangement. However, the standby made way for another standby, as committee chairperson Vilas Mhatre needed the car for committee polls. Soon afterwards, a dilapidated car which everyone in the KDMC rejected because of frequent breakdowns was assigned for Pradhan’s use.

Last week, the car broke down en route to Netivali where she was going to inaugurate a PDS shop. A miffed Pradhan immediately sought an audience with R Gholap, KDMC’s vehicle in charge. “Why do you want to give me a vehicle at all? I don’t mind walking to and from home. I have never depended on an official car all these years, have I?” she stormed. Those present were taken aback by this tirade from someone who has a reputation for not speaking at official functions when asked to speak. Her Contessa then promptly arrived in the afternoon, leading to an exaggerated banter about how belan power was here to stay.