How does it feel to occupy the mayoral chair with a maverick like T S Chandrashekhar as civic commissioner?
Thanks to the blessings of Balasaheb (Thackeray) and Anand Dighe, the commissioner has been able to change the face of the township. It is their blessings which have brought me to this position, so I am sure in my tenure too, the tempo of work will continue.

But wasn't Chandrashekhar instrumental in the demolition ofyour bungalow at Yeoor in December?
Yes. A large part of my bungalow was also demolished in the demolition operation carried out in the Yeoor area.

So?
What I personally feel about him does not have anything to do with my interaction with him as the mayor.

But isn't the Sena rank and file still sore with the commissioner due to the December impasse?
Depending on the circumstances some people end up getting hurt. Everybody cannot forgive and forget so soon. (Laughs)

What about you?
I have already said that what I feel personally is irrelevant. I am here to do what the party thinks is good for Thane.

Do you feel the popularity of Chandrashekhar will dwarf the corporators' and mayor's image in the public eye?
This is something only newspapers believe in. We also move among the populace and believe that apart from showering accolades on the commissioner, people also realise it is our efforts which ensured that his work got the support of our politicalmasters. Without their nod, all this wouldn't have happened.

What steps will you take to see that relations between the commissioner and the elected representatives in general, and the mayor in particular, are not strained?
An effort at harmony between the two will have to be mutual. In keeping with the directives from the leadership, we have decided to co-operate with the commissioner fully. We also hope he will reciprocate the gesture by giving us our due share of credit in the development of Thane.

But isn't there still a gulf between what Matoshri and Tembhi Naka (the local leadership) thinks?
No, this is something the media is creating. Unlike other parties where there are as many views as mouths, we go entirely by the orders of the Sena pramukh.

Would you like to make any promises to Thanekars?
At this juncture it is too early for me to be specific, but I will work towards a safer, cleaner and more beautiful Thane.