The move seems timed to coincide with the post-election assessment tour of senior Sena leaders including Narayan Rane, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, Subhash Desai and Manohar Joshi. Mahajan and his supporters are believed to be close to deposed CM Joshi.

In a statement issued here, Mahajan, who was also the city president of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, informed that he has sent his resignation to Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.

Ever since Nirupam was appointed the `samparka pramukh' for Nagpur district, sincere Sena workers here have been subjected to humiliation and high-handedness, states Mahajan.

Once, during an election campaign, Mahajan quotes Nirupam, who hails from the north, as having used foul language and told him that people of Maharashtra weregood for nothing.

He used the same arrogant tone while dealing with other Sainiks as well, says Mahajan. Many dedicated workers have already quit the Sena unable to stand Nirupam's ways, he added.

Mahajan has also accused Nirupam of introducing the `packet' (money) culture within the party in this district. Only those who would reach these packets to Nirupam could hope to be in the party's good books, he has alleged.

Among those who, Mahajan claims, have quit the Sena with him are: South Nagpur deputy chief Vinod Lanjewar, Arvind Purohit, Vijay Dhole, former east Nagpur deputy chiefs, Dr Shekhar Bhise and Yunusbhai, Arun Guhe, former east Nagpur publicity chief Shanware, former south Nagpur deputy chief Shyam Sontakke, west Nagpur deputy chief Anil Patil, shakha pramukhs Mehboob Khan, Dr Vijay Pardhi, Rajesh Ruikar, Prakash Talwekar, deputy shakha pramukhs Saifuddin Khan and Raju Nigot, former mayor Rajesh Tambe, Sharma, Lodhi, Padmakar Telang, Madhav Telang and others.

According to Mahajan, about 500office-bearers and workers have decided to resign from the Sena along with him.