A delegation of corporators, alongwith Gaikwad and deputy mayor Mahadeo Babar, today called on Chief Minister Narayan Rane who was in the city and lodged several complaints against Bhatia. Rane was non-committal, but heard the delegation patiently for about half an hour.

Later, talking to media persons, Gaikwad launched a blistering attack on Bhatia saying that he would not tolerate ``any humiliation and dishonour to the corporators.''

It all began on Monday morning when Bhatia communicated his inability to attend a meeting convened by mayor. Gaikwad said he had telephonically informed the municipal commissioner's office about the meeting scheduled at 11.30 am in his office. He said a letter was also sent to Bhatia's office about the meeting.

The mayor, however, received a message from Bhatiajust when the meeting was about to start that he would be unable to attend the meeting. An angry mayor immediately dashed off a letter to Bhatia expressing his displeasure. All the office-bearers including the mayor, his deputy, standing committee chairman Arun Dhimdhime, leader of the House Chandrakant Chhajed and leader of the opposition Datta Sagare later called on the Chief Minister and complained against the commissioner's style of functioning.

Gaikwad took strong objection to Bhatia's ``unilateral announcements on policy decisions.'' He said all the development works had come to a standstill during the past one month. He alleged that the municipal commissioner kept the officers busy for entire day in various meetings while the routine administrative work remained neglected.

``Tension has been simmering between corporators and the administration because of Bhatia,'' Gaikwad said and added that Bhatia announced several vital decisions including regularisation of illegal constructions in mergedvillages and pay revision of civic employees without holding any consultations with the corporators.

To a question on Bhatia's proposal for major changes in the civic budget, Gaikwad said he would not allow any change in budgetary provision.

``The entire exercise of budget making, which takes not less than six months, would go waste if Bhatia's proposal was accepted,'' Gaikwad said, adding that the standing committee had already told the administration to explore other ways to raise funds for the works, suggested by the municipal commissioner.

Bhatia avoided CM?

Eyebrows were raised when municipal commissioner Arun Bhatia suddenly went on a half day's leave on Monday afternoon. The civic corridors were agog with the discussion that Bhatia conveniently avoided greeting Chief Minister Narayan Rane, who arrived in the city for a brief period. It was Rane's first visit to the city after Bhatia was reinstated as the municipal commissioner by the Bombay High court.