India, July 14 -- Mumbai's deputy mayor Sanjay Ghadi has sought official accommodation from the BMC, even identifying the residence he prefers. His request, which would require the BMC to break with civic convention, was made in a letter to municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide on June 25, just two days after the bungalow he wants was vacated by additional municipal commissioner (city) Ashwini Joshi, who has been transferred.

The sprawling, colonial-style bungalow Ghadi is seeking is adjacent to the one occupied by mayor Ritu Tawade in the leafy Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan premises in Byculla.

Ghadi believes he is entitled to official accommodation "at par with the stature of his office". "The deputy mayor's work is no less important....