The development, which has rattled the civic body, is engulfed in further controversy with the 14 corporators running the risk of disqualification as they constitute less than one-third of the strength of the parent Congress, which was reduced to 46 from the original 51 after five corporators were expelled on May 26. Opposition Congress leader Kisan Jadhav told presspersons today that he has written to Konkan Divisional Commissioner, Sharwaree Gokhale, to disqualify the 14 defectors under the Anti-Defection Act.

Subhash Mayekar, who defected today, has been selected as the leader of this new faction, which has staked its claim as a separate party. A representation to this effect was made to Mayor Hareshwar Patil amid resounding slogans in the civic corridors. The faction claimsthey cannot be disqualified as their numbers add up to 19, which is two more than one-third of the original 51.

Jadhav, however, scoffed at their claim, saying the five who were initially expelled should not be counted among them. ``Five corporators were expelled for anti-party activities. This reduced the party from 51 to 46 members. Of the 46 members, they have not managed the required one-third, namely, 16 members,''he explained.

Jadhav, along with party faithfuls Ravindra Pawar and K A Bastiwala, also alleges that inducements were held out to get the defectors, including offering seats for the upcoming Assembly elections. ``In some cases, Sharad Pawar's NCP has promised one seat to two or three persons. These are mainly for the Trombay, Chembur and Khetwadi seats.'' Ravindra Pawar alleged that some of them were simply bought off.

Meanwhile, the breakaway claims some more corporators are likely to defect on June 22, when the BMC's General Body will convene. The five corporators who were expelledearlier pointed out that the decision to expel them had no meaning as there was no whip issued by the party.

Jadhav reiterated that those who betrayed the party would continue to betray any other party. ``These defections are a cleansing process and the electorate will give these disloyals a good drubbing at the hustings.'' He also expressed surprise at the defection of former mayor R T Kadam, who he said shared the platform at meeting convened by senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad condemning Pawar. ``He has done a total volte-face today,'' he said.

Mayekar said: ``Our group has defected not on account of monetary or any other inducements. On the contrary, they were attempting to bribe us to stay. We shall increase our numbers and prove our majority in the BMC in the coming days.''

Despite today's defections, the Congress is still left with its more charismatic leaders. Among the deserters, barring R T Kadam, Balwant Pawar and Subhash Mayekar, the remaining were hardly vocal in the General Body orcommittees they represented.

The Marked Men

Following are the breakaway 19 corporators, including the five who have been expelled: Baban Kanavje (Matharpakadi), Suryakant Chavan (Matunga Workshop), Bharti Pandagale (Nirlon Cama Industries), Vijay Kudtalkar (Kohinoor Mill-Sahakar Nagar) and Parshuram Mirekar (Kanjur-Bhandup Village) were expelled on May 26, 1999.

Among the 14 defectors are Jayshree Bhaskar (Spring Mills), Jyoti Sisode (Bharat Petroleum Colony-Tata Colony, Bandra East), Philip Easo (Vile Parle East), Namdeo Ubale, Kamlakar Patil (Samata Nagar-Akurli-Poisar), Manorama Patil (Vihar Lake-Utkarsha Nagar), Yashumati Chavan (Vile Parle (East), Vanita Marucha (Vile Parle (West), Raju Chhedha (Western India Mills-Gas Company), Balwant Pawar (Council Hall-Horniman Circle), R T Kadam (Asalpha-Mohli-Chandevali), Rajendra Mahulkar (Jarimari Bail Bazar), Subhash Mayekar (Khara Talao-Null Bazaar and Radheshyam Chavan (Mahim).