Outgoing mayor Rajalaxmi Bhosale chooses to attend a family function instead of an inauguration by her party president Sharad Pawar
Outgoing mayor Rajalaxmi Bhosale chooses to attend a family function instead of an inauguration by her party president Sharad Pawar
ADVERTISEMENT
Pune Mayor Rajalaxmi Bhosale shocked political observers yesterday when she skipped an official function attended by her party NCP's seniormost members and chose to attend a family gathering instead.
The official function was to mark the inauguration of the fully renovated Foreign Registration Office and modernisation of Pune Police Control Room by Central Agricultural Minister Sharad Pawar.
Home Minister R R Patil was the chief guest at the function hosted by Commissioner of Police
Dr Satyapal Singh.
State Home Minister Ramesh Bagwe was also present, but Bhosale was conspicuous by her absence.
Interestingly, outgoing Pimpri-Chinchwad mayor Aparna Doke attended the function. Said a political analyst who wished to remain anonymous, "Bhosale did not attend because her tenure is coming to an end."
Not true
However, Bhosale denied her absence had a political reason. "I could not attend the function because I had to attend the wedding of my daughter-in-law's sister in Mumbai. It would have been unjust for my son and my daughter-in-law if I had not attended. There was no other reason for my absence at the inauguration."
This time, the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad mayors posts come under the general category and not in the women's category.
According to sources, Bhosale wished to contest the election, but senior corporator Anil Bhosale is the top contender for the post.