Solapur deputy mayor loses post for siding with Pawar

The Congress, with 32 members in the SMC, had struck a political deal with Communist Party of India (M), Janata Dal, Republican Party of India and a few Independents to gain an edge over the saffron alliance. However, the 13-member pro-Sharad Pawar group, severing itself from the Congress after his expulsion, has put the party on the back foot. The real problem arose when Suman Mudliar submitted her resignation to the Additional Municipal Commissioner G R Godbole. She was elected to the post on March 20, defeating Sena candidate Ganesh Pardeshi. Mayor Sanjay Hemgaddi, the Independent corporator, however, remained neutral and has decided to enjoy histerm.Mudliar claimed she self-respect by resigning from the post as she was in the chair because of Sharad Pawar. "Power is not more important than loyalty to Pawar," she said.

However, she has invited wrath from Sonia supporters who were upbraided her for the decision without consulting the mayor and her voters. Tension prevailed in the vicinity of her residence when a gang of miscreants pelted her house breaking the window panes. Mudliar, however, was out of station when the incident took place, it was stated.

The resignation has necessitated an election for the vacant post which could give a new twist to the city politics putting BJP-Sena at a vantage point with Congress a divided house. Pro-Pawar faction leader Janardan Karampuri, however, has stated that suitable steps would be taken to avoid helping the saffron alliance.

City Congress chief Prakash Yelgulwar who was facing criticism from Pawar supporters for certain unsavoury remarks about Pawar, however, said that accepting support of pro-Pawarmen would be decided afterwards.

Meanwhile, the BJP-Sena has accelerated efforts to snatch the deputy mayor’s post. The saffron alliance already has the posts of standing committee chairman and SMC education board chairman.