Corporators across parties in NCP- ruled Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation today closed ranks to pass a no-confidence motion against its commissioner Tukaram Mundhe for his "undemocratic functioning" even though his drive against illegal constructions, allegedly linked to politicians, has earned him backing from citizens.
The motion, unprecedented in NMMC history, was adopted with 105 corporators voting in its favor and six BJP members voting against it at a special meeting convened by NMMC.
The meeting was chaired by Mayor Sudhakar Sonawane. Mundhe was also present during the proceedings.
Leader of the House Jayant Sutar tabled the motion and justified the move by saying the commissioner had "failed to perform".
Though BJP corporators voted against the motion, Shiv Sena joined hands with ruling NCP, Congress and Independent corporators for adoption.
Sena even backed the demand for replacing Mundhe with immediate effect with another bureaucrat.
In the 111 member NMMC, the NCP has 52 corporators, Sena 38, Congress 10, BJP 6 and 5 are Independent corporators.
The motion will be sent to Urban Development Department headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who has to take a call over its fate.
Mundhe, who is known to be an upright officer, has received immense support from Navi Mumbaikars for running a spirited campaign against illegal constructions, mostly linked to the nexus between some ruling corporators and private builders.
On Sunday, local residents, activists and intellectuals had organised a rally "Walk for Commissioner" in support of Mundhe.
"This commissioner has zero respect for corporators who are elected representatives. He believes only in bureaucracy and does not believe in democratic values at all. This is why the no-confidence motion has been initiated against him," Sonawane told PTI yesterday.
When asked about Congress adopting the motion against an honest officer, state unit party spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the elected representatives have exercised their democratic right.
"Elected representatives should prevail over administration and not vice versa. Corporators are elected by the people and administration should give them respect," Sawant said, adding, administrative authorities should not act as super cops but take everyone along.
Mundhe had said he was following the principles of democracy and was doing his job to provide accessible and affordable civic services to citizens.
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Barring BJP, only Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemned the
motion against Mundhe.
AAP said the coming together of politicians to oust Mundhe from the civic body was "a testimony to the fact that the corrupt practices of all the parties have come under the scanner".
"The majority party (in NMMC) NCP has always had a nexus with big business, builders and hoteliers all of who are in trouble as the municipal commissioner Tukaram Munde has launched initiatives on issues ranging from illegal construction to tax evasion.
"Congress and Shiv Sena's complete support shows how all politicians and the officials who colluded with them are finding it difficult to cope with a clean, honest, hard working and gutsy officer," AAP national spokesperson Preeti Sharma-Menon said in a statement.
