4 CONGRESS LEADERS IN RACE FOR DEPUTY MAYOR’S POST

VASHI: With the Congress set to share power with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for the first time in Navi Mumbai following an agreement on sharing important posts, all eyes are now focussed on who the Congress will field as deputy mayor — a post which is highly likely to be given to a Congress candidate.

While several names have come to the fore, the Congress’ Navi Mumbai president Dashrath Bhagat has confirmed the names of four of the 10 Congress corporators elected, who are in the race for the deputy mayor’s post.

“Avinash Lad, Mandakini Mhatre, Hemangi Sonawane and Vaijyanti Bhagat are the names suggested for the post. After a discussion, the final decision will be taken by our state president Ashok Chavan soon,” said Bhagat.

Lad is a senior Congress corporator from Vashi, who will represent the party in the house, which will comprise nine women Congress corporators. He defeated Shiv Sena veteran Vithal More in the civic elections.

Mandakini Mhatre, corporator from Ghansoli is the wife of former deputy mayor Ramakant Mhatre, who is considered close to Chavan.

Sonawane has been elected for the second time, while Vaijyanti is the wife of Dashrath Bhagat.

According to a political source, “Some Congress leaders had threatened to quit the party over the controversy to field candidates for the deputy mayor’s post. There are several camps within the party each of which wants to prove its strength.”

“Lad, of course, is the front-runner, but nothing can be confirmed for now,” added the source.

BACHCHAN KUMAR Avinash Lad is the frontrunner for the deputy mayor’s post, said a source.