Deputy mayor's resignation brings Cong rift to fore

Pune: Deputy mayor Ulhas (Aba) Bagul on Wednesday tendered his resignation to the state leadership and demanded change in all key posts, including the city unit chief and leader of opposition in the civic body, exposing the rift within the Congress.
The talks of deputy mayor's resignation started last month after mayor Dattatraya Dhankawade resigned.Both Dhankawade and Bagul had taken charge at the same time in 2014.
Dhankawade resigned after completing his tenure as per the arrangement of his party NCP. But he had refused to put in his papers, saying that he did not receive any communication from the senior party leaders.
Following the denial to resign, Bagul was asked to meet the state authorities. The meeting was conducted on Tuesday, where Bagul offered his resignation. He also demanded resignation of leaders in other posts in the city unit and the Pune Municipal Corporation. "I have given my resignation and have also asked the authorities to demand resignation from other leaders," said Bagul.
The Congress's city unit chief, Abhay Chhajed, said the question of his resignation did not arise. "It was the matter of resignation of the deputy mayor. Resignation about no other posts was under consideration," he said. Bagul on Wednesday night issued a statement to clarify his stand.