Motion was illegal8217;, says ousted sarpanch

8220;They have been harassing me for a long time. District BJP leaders are against me because I am a Christian.8221; Pawar told Express Newsline. The District Development Officer of Dangs, D J Dharaiya, when questioned said he was ignorant of the charges against Pawar, but 8220;the correct procedure was followed while removing the sarpanch.8221;

Meanwhile Pawar contends that 8220;panchayat members have not elected me so they can8217;t remove me. I was directly elected by the people and only they can unseat me.8221; Pawar who was the sarpanch of group gram panchayat Lahancharia, 17 km from district headquarters, was removed when six of eight panchayat members voted in favour of a no-confidence motion.

Pawar called the reason for his removal 8212; his inability to complete developmental works 8212; 8220;absurd8221;.

8220;The BJP made a case against me because they wanted me out,8221; he said, accusing the BJP district general secretary Dashrath Pawar for instigating panchayat members against him. The BJP general secretary, when contacted, said 8220;I was not instrumental in ousting him Pawar. I don8217;t need to do anything when six panchayat members are already against him8221;.