Addressing a press conference here, Parate charged that two members belonging to his group were illegally disqualified only to help BJP's candidate to win the coveted post. ``They were disqualified on flimsy charges. This amounted to denial natural justice,'' he said.

Two members of his group, former MC president, Sonikala Lashkari, and Jagadish Rahate were disqualified on February 6 by an order passed by Minister of State for Urban Development, Ravindra Mane. The order was served on them when they were proceeding to attend the Municipal Council general body convened to elect new president, Parate said.

Parate alleged that the order was passed ex parte by Ravindra Mane. A lawyer carrying detailed statements by two members was present in theminister's office chamber at Mumbai on February 5 and 6 following receipt of a telegraphic message from the urban development department. But on both days, the minister did not attend the office. So, no hearing could take place. But even then an order was passed in the name of the minister disqualifying two members, said.

Referring to the major developments, the Congress legislator said the hearing before the Minister of State was scheduled to be held in January. It was postponed to February 3 and then advanced by a day. But in between, Manohar Joshi resigned as Chief Minister paving the way for installation of Narayan Rane. The new Chief Minister allocated portfolios only in the evening of February 2. As no hearing could be possible on that day, a telegraphic message was sent the same day to the members to furnish their statement within three days. Accordingly, a lawyer carrying their statement was present at the minister's chamber on February 5 and 6. But the minister himself failed to attend the officeon that day.

The members, who were aware of these developments, were shocked when the disqualification notice was served on them, he said. To a question, Dr Parate said his groups would not have objected to the minister's order had he decided the issue on merit and giving opportunity to the members to argue their case. In the absence of two members, the BJP sponsored candidate won the MC president's election by a narrow margin.