Despite initiating campaign to clean city of unauthorised political hoardings, civic body fails to pull down ones put up by supporters of Congress corporator to wish him on his birthday and show their loyalty
Despite initiating campaign to clean city of unauthorised political hoardings, civic body fails to pull down ones put up by supporters of Congress corporator to wish him on his birthday and show their loyalty
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He's everywhere! Flex banners wishing corporator Deepak Mankar
on his birthday. Pic/Jignesh Mistry
Mankar's supporters have put up around 15 big hoardings and many small ones along with posters across the city. The total cost of this advertising is estimated to be Rs 70 lakh. "Mankar has not spent this money, but those who believe in him as an ideal leader in the Congress have done it," said one of his supporters.
Chandrakant Kudal, from the Poona Outdoor Advertisement Agencies, said that there are 15 big and many small hoardings displayed all over the city to congratulate Mankar. "Mankar is our friend and has helped us in the nick of time when we all were in trouble. Some of the hoardings are displayed by us and the remaining have been sponsored by his well wishers," he said.u00a0
Meanwhile, Vikas Mathakari, BJP corporator and former leader of opposition in the civic house, condemned the PMC administration for not initiating quick action to remove the hoardings. "The civic body should not be selective in removing advertisements of politicians. They are an eyesore for people. The PMC anti-ncroachment cell should take speedy action to pull down all such posters and hoardings," he said.
The other side
Ramesh Shelar, head of anti-encroachment cell of the PMC, said that his squad was busy removing unauthorised structures at Bibwewadi and could not find time to remove the 'chamcha hoardings' of Mankar. "I agree that there are a lot of hoardings put up to greet Mankar off the city roads, but we shall remove them tomorrow," he said.
Cases against Mankar
Although the hoardings praise Deepak Mankar, he has 12 cases registered against him including five cases of land grabbing during the year 2009, 2010 with the police. The land grabbing cases include those filed by Professor Yashwant Natu, a resident of Natubaug on Bajirao road, retired Telco officer Vijay Kumar Singh, a resident of Pimpri, and Pournima Prabhu, a resident of Shivajinagar, among others.
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