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.