MNS corporator resigns from BMC

MUMBAI: A newly-elected corporator of Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena resigned from her post on Monday.

Supriya Pawar, a corporator from ward no 42 (Malad in North Mumbai) submitted her resignation to Municipal Commissioner Johnny Joseph this evening, BMC sources said.

Although Pawar did not specify the reason for her resignation from the civic body, sources said Pawar was miffed at her party's support to the Congress in Saturday's mayoral elections.

MNS leaders, however, termed the reason for resignation as "flimsy", and alleged that there was a "financial transaction" involved.

"Pawar was merely a puppet. Her family was close to the Shiv Sena and we believe there was a financial transaction involved. She has not informed anyone in the party about her resignation. Also, she is now not reachable," MNS leader Shirish Parkar said.

The MNS, which has seven seats in the 227-member BMC, supported the Congress mayoral candidate Sheetal Mhatre who lost to the Shiv Sena's Shubha Raul.

When asked whether the party would still want Pawar in the MNS, Parkar said, "One must give someone a chance to improve on their mistake. Also we have to find out whether the resignation she has given is legally viable or not. We will take a decision once there is some clarity on these issues."

The MNS had contested the municipal polls for the first time since the party was formed last year and had indicated that it was open to allying with the Congress.