While the party is now tempted to shut her out, Ambekar continues to be the city's first citizen. Senior Sena leaders attribute this to the lack of any better alternative and the party's strained ties with the BJP.
Her 'confidential' letter alleging corruption in road works to BMC chief Ajoy Mehta has been the latest controversy mayor Snehal Ambekar has courted. In just one year in office, Ambekar has emerged as one of the city's most controversial mayors ever.
Ambekar, wife of Shiv Sena leader Suryakant, joined the party in 1996. The 42-year-old was elected as a corporator for the first time from Lower Parel in 2012. Critics say she has little experience of civic affairs. Just a month ago, she was in news for comparing prime minister Narendra Modi to German dictator Adolf Hitler.
While the party is now tempted to shut her out, Ambekar continues to be the city's first citizen. Senior Sena leaders attribute this to the lack of any better alternative and the party's strained ties with the BJP.
Party sources said that Ambekar was given a final warning from 'Matoshree' on Wednesday to stay away from any controversy. "If she goofs up again, then the party might have to think about replacing her," said a senior Sena leader.
Soon after taking over as the mayor, Ambekar refused to remove the red beacon on her official car. She created controversy by stating that a mayor is equivalent to the chief minister and thus should be allowed to use a red beacon light on her official vehicle.
Just months later, Ambekar caused a stir when she started dancing to Bollywood numbers during a formal Diwali function at her official residence in Shivaji Park. Many felt that it was inappropriate for a mayor to dance to film music in a cultural event.
"We want to replace her but there is no alternative. At the moment, we can't call for mayoral polls either. Our relations with the BJP are strained and they will exploit the situation if we decide to hold elections in the civic General Body. We can't take that risk. So, there is no option but to continue with her," said a senior Sena leader.
The mayor's post is currently reserved for a woman from the Scheduled Cast (SC). The Sena was considering two other corporators, Yamini Jadhav and Dr Bharti Bawdane, for the job along with Ambekar. However, infighting and party politics ensured that Ambekar got the job. Sources said that those who recommend her for the job, like legislator Sunil Shinde, are upset with her too.
"We initially thought she would be best suited from among the three since she was low profile. However, the entire plan and backfired," said a senior Sena corporator.
She sparked off another controversy when she said the media was overstating the spread of dengue. More recently, she was in trouble when MNS came out with an audio clip in which she reportedly acknowledged that a contractor approached her on a corporator's behalf to get funds for public works in one of the wards.
While she did not comment on her letter, she demanded a probe to find out how her 'confidential' letter leaked. "The letter was supposed to be confidential. How did it leak? This should be probed," Ambekar said.
A former Sena mayor said that the party would soon run out of patience. "This is a crucial year and if she can't do well, then she should at least not cause damage. She should keep a low profile. We have to face the brunt of her controversies. The entire party image has gone for as toss. It's been one too many," the former Sena mayor said.
If the Sena has decided to continue with her, Ambekar will be mayor till February 2017 when the BMC elections are held.
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