Talking to reporters, Mankar, a Shiv Sainik who took the reins of the APMC about 11 months ago, said that the charges levied against him by his opponents were baseless. He said that he had decided to move the court to prove his innocence and that he had resigned so that he could devote enough time to the APMC.

The no-confidence motion against Mankar was moved by 12 out of the 16 APMC members. The motion was to be discussed and voted on Monday. The members had accused Mankar of unauthorisedly selling a gala (shop space), financial irregularity in appointing a contractor for cleaning the APMC premises and irregularities in purchase of weighing machine. Mankar denied having committed any fraud.

When Mankar had assumed office, nine out of the 16 members hadsupported him. Over the past year, his opponents led by a member, Devidas Pingle (a local Congressman), have managed to tilt the scales with 12 members wanting Mankar out.