The party, opponents as well as residents say, is merely trying to get people to rally around it three months before the hustings, with an unrealistic promise to slash charges if water supply is brought under its jurisdiction.

CIDCO, which accounts for about 75 per cent of the township's water supply, had raised its charges by 300 per cent in July. With a new-found urgency, the mayor has now asked residents to refrain from paying their bills. This, Naik claims, would pressure CIDCOto slash its rates.

The aghadi is also making frantic efforts to expedite the transfer of water supply from CIDCO to the NMMC to notch up a political victory by reducing water charges before the elections. Sena corporator Vitthal More, who is the party's Navi Mumbai chief, justifies the boycott call saying, ``We have to resort to such an extreme step because despite repeated appeals, CIDCO has paid no heed to our demand.'' The Sena is supporting the boycott call -- corporators of the aghadi, lead by former Sena leader Ganesh Naik, are former Sainiks.

However, residents as well as opposition parties in the corporation are sceptical about the aghadi's motives. Praveen Mani, a resident of Vashi, remarks: ``The corporators have timed the boycott to speed up the transfer of water supply from CIDCO. Once the NMMC takes charge, the aghadi, claims it will effect a reduction in the water charges and earn laurels before the hustings.'' Another Vashi resident, Vinaya Bhosekar, asks: ``When even the court did notadmit the plea against the hike, what purpose will such boycotts serve?'' In 1992, the Federation of Nerul Phase-II Residents had called for a similar boycott against CIDCO. After their arrears mounted, the residents had to finally fork out hefty bills to clear their outstandings.

Still, the aghadi has stepped up efforts to expedite the transfer of water supply to the NMMC. But to no avail. On September 22, the mayor met Suresh Joshi, principal secretary, UDD, to apprise him of the boycott call.

However, sources say, Joshi showed little interest. The mayor has now called for a meeting between the NMMC and CIDCO. Denying that the boycott call was an election stunt, Naik said, "As representatives of the people, it is our responsibility to see that residents receive water at reasonable rates.''

Meanwhile, CIDCO remains unperturbed. Superintendent engineer for water supply, V V Gokhale, says the hike was inevitable. ``There has been no hike in the last five years, during which CIDCO's procurement anddistribution costs have shot up. The basic cost of water to CIDCO is Rs 5.65 per 1,000 litres, and we used to charge only Rs 3.85 before the hike, sustaining heavy losses. Now, CIDCO will cut its losses in water supply by Rs 10 crore, from the current Rs 24 crore per year.'' Even if the aghadi succeeds in securing the water supply rights for the NMMC, it will be only a short-term gain.

Municipal Commissioner Subhashchandra Bhakre explains: ``We are far from prepared to take over water supply at present as we are still mobilising staff, resources and infrastructure for the purpose. In fact, a survey to assess modalities is still underway. Moreover, the NMMC will have to charge the same rates as CIDCO.''