Though `financial irregularities' has been cited as the reason for removal, Pawar, who is Christian, alleges otherwise. BJP district General Secretary Dashrath Pawar, however, strongly denies the charge.

``They have been harassing me for a long time. District BJP leaders are against me because I am a Christian.'' Pawar told Express Newsline. The District Development Officer of Dangs, D J Dharaiya, when questioned said he was ignorant of the charges against Pawar, but ``the correct procedure was followed while removing the sarpanch.''

Meanwhile Pawar contends that ``panchayat members have not elected me so they can't remove me. I was directly elected by the people and only they can unseat me.'' Pawar who was the sarpanch of group gram panchayat Lahancharia, 17 km from district headquarters, was removed when six of eight panchayat members voted in favour of a no-confidence motion.

Pawar called the reason for his removal -- his inability to complete developmental works -- ``absurd''.

``The BJP made a case against me because they wanted me out,'' he said, accusing the BJP district general secretary Dashrath Pawar for instigating panchayat members against him. The BJP general secretary, when contacted, said ``I was not instrumental in ousting him (Pawar). I don't need to do anything when six panchayat members are already against him''.