The issue of recrimination following criminalisation of politics — a trend that has gripped the city, with politicians being suspended from their respective parties is playing out as if to a script. It was started by the NCP when Padamsinh Patil was suspended after being arrested by the CBI in a murder case. The BJP soon followed suit with the suspension of corporator Datta Khade. It was the turn of the Congress to take action against its corporator Deepak Mankar, who was denied bail in a land grab case on Thursday when it suspended him.

The State Congress unit announced the suspension of Mankar from the party in Mumbai on Thursday. “I confirm that Mankar has been suspended from the party,” city Congress chief Abhay Chhajed said. He refused to comment on the delay in taking action against Mankar.

“It was expected from the city unit. As there was no initiative from them, the state unit had to act,” state party spokesperson Anant Gadgil said.

Another Congress leader, who did not wish to be named, said the police complaint against Mankar was politically motivated. “Some people are creating problems for Congress leaders. Mankar was projecting himself as a potential candidate,” he said.