The plot, dereserved by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), has been allotted to the trust-run Navi Mumbai Sports Association, of which Naik is president. It had originally been set aside in the Development Plan as a playground for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). However, More, a member of the civic Standing Committee, questions CIDCO's propriety in selling the plot to the NMSA -- being a private trust, the association was able to purchase the land for Rs 40 lakh only -- saying the corporation is its rightful owner.

After More raised the matter in the Standing Committee last week, theNMMC wrote to CIDCO, urging it to withdraw the allotment to the NMSA in January. More also questions the NMSA's intentions, alleging that the plot will be commercially exploited with the proposed tennis centre taking a backseat.

Says More: ``There is no need for the NMSA topurchase the plot when it already owns a huje adjacent plot, which has been vacant since the last 19 years. CIDCO had allotted the 57,000 sq mt plot to the NMSA when the association was set up in 1980 at a nominal annual lease of Rs 100. However, despite the NMSA's undertaking that it would be developed as a multi-purpose sports complex, only weeds and grass grow here till date. The NMSA instead earns a pretty packet by renting out the ground for weddings and commercial events.''

The return volley from Naik's camp, however, is equally lethal. His detractors say he is merely trying to settle old scores following two failed attempts to get elected as a member of the Managing Committee of the township's most elite club, in 1992 and 1993.With the contest evenly poised, both Naik and More are now ready to serve up the aces.

Dr Dilip Rane, NMSA vice-president, claims that More's campaign is fuelled by political vendetta. ``Since More lost the elections for the NMSA's Managing Committee twice, he has a personal axe to grind,'' he returns. The Sena corporator, though, claims his crusade is directed against CIDCO and not the club. ``My battle is against CIDCO's arbitrary deservation of land earmarked for public use. This is the third such incident. Earlier, the NMMC had prevented CIDCO from selling two plots in Vashi, one of which was reserved for a hospital and the other for a bus-depot,'' says More. The buyers are believed to be close associates of Naik.

With the claims and counter-claims scorching past, CIDCO has been forced into the umpire's chair. Says Public Relations Officer, B Gaikwad: ``As a responsible town planning authority, CIDCO has achieved a dual purpose with the property's sale. Not only will sports be promoted with theconstruction of eight tennis courts of international standards over an area of 7,395 sq mt, the NMSA will also develop and maintain the public space on the remaining 3,500 sq mt.''

Adds CIDCO's Joint Managing Director, Vinayak Nalawde: ``In 1994, we had approached the Maharashtra Labour Board to take over the land for public use, but they declined. Since, the NMSA has been repeatedly asking us to sell it to them for the development of sports, we finally agreed.''

Ganesh Naik, himself, doesn't seem perturbed. ``If the plot is really the need of the general public, we shall take another look at our plans,'' he told Express Newsline.

Deflecting Naik's magnanamous gesture, Arun Patil, chief engineer of the NMMC says if CIDCO does not reconsider the sale to the private club, the corporation will seek the state government's intervention.