The much-anticipated verdict in the disqualification case against Belagavi Mayor Mangesh Pawar has been delayed, with Urban Development Department Secretary Deepa Cholan reserving her final order for another five days.
The case, which has stirred considerable public interest in Belagavi, was expected to see closure on Wednesday. However, residents awaiting the final word were met with a deferment, prolonging the suspense around Mayor Pawar’s political future.
At the heart of the controversy are allegations that Pawar violated norms related to holding an ‘office of profit.’ Earlier this year, the Belagavi Regional Commissioner disqualified him from his corporator position based on these charges. Pawar’s initial appeal to the UD secretary was unsuccessful, with Secretary Cholan upholding the regional commissioner’s decision.
Subsequently, Pawar approached the Karnataka High Court, which granted him interim relief — allowing him both to vote in the mayoral election and contest it. Despite the unresolved legal issues, the BJP went ahead and fielded him as their candidate. Pawar was ultimately elected as mayor.
The decision to support Pawar amidst the legal turmoil drew criticism from the Congress-led state government. In turn, BJP leaders, including Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil, accused the regional commissioner of working under political pressure during the disqualification proceedings.
The High Court later remanded the matter back to the UD secretary for a final decision. If Secretary Cholan upholds her previous stand, Pawar could be disqualified from holding the mayor’s office.
In a parallel development, the UD secretary also heard a similar case against another city corporator, Jayant Jadhav, who faces the same allegations.