Patil has been charged of misconduct and
disgraceful behavior by the IAS officer on the basis of the written
complaint made to him by deputy municipal commissioner U Ubale, who was
threatened with dire consequences as he was unwilling to oblige to the
mayor’s demand to delete some controversial remarks on a certain file.

Ubale had informed the municipal commissioner that the mayor summoned
him to his ante-chamber early this week and in the presence of
additional municipal commissioner LR Gupta hurled choicest of abuses as
his remarks on a file concerning purchase of gymnasium equipment in his
ward.

Ubale said that it was only because of Gupta’s
intervention that he could escape out of the room unhurt but that he
feared for his life given the threats issued by the mayor. It is learnt
that Rajeev, upon being informed of the incident, had telephoned Patil
and tried to reason with him. The mayor, however, is said to be in a
foul mood and dared the municipal commissioner to take action against
him.

Upset with the behavior of the first citizen, Rajeev wrote
to the state government recommending disqualification of Patil as
corporator. Section 10 of the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation
Act, 1949 empowers the state government to disqualify any corporator on
recommendation of the general body of the corporation supported by votes
of not less than three-fourth of the entire civic body.

Mayor
Patil’s alleged misconduct has triggered a wave of criticism from the
opposition Nationalist Congress Party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
who had approached the Naupada police on Friday urging them to register
an offence against Patil. The police, however, said they could wait
till a formal complaint has been lodged by Ubale.

A section of
the Dalit organizations here too have echoed support to Ubale and are
understood to be urging the civic official to register an offence under
the Atrocities Act.

Sources said Ubale, however, is unlikely to be drawn into the political tussle and may not file a police complaint.