The issue that has created a rift between the men and women councillors is the new system -- Mayor-in-Council -- which is to be introduced in six municipal corporations of the state within the next two months.

While the male councillors are excited about the MIC as they see good prospects in the new system, their female counterparts are dismayed and have expressed reservations about it. The system, they point out, could spell doom. It is likely to be male-dominated, they say, adding women councillors would have remote chances of holding important posts in MIC.

Under the present system, which was governed by the BPMC ACT, the post of the mayor was reserved on rotational basis, thereby giving women an opportunity to vie for the top post also. However, there is no such provision in the MIC, except for the post of the speaker, which will be reserved on rotational basis.

A woman councillor alleged that the new system was against the spirit of democracy, because all powers would be vested with the mayor. In case, an inefficient or ``corrupt'' person was appointed mayor, the entire system would collapse, she said.

While on the one hand, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee says that powers should be decentralized, the ruling BJP in Gujarat was centralizing powers, the councillor pointed out.

Not only BJP councillors, but even the lone Congress councillor Bhupendra Solanki is in favour of the MIC. ``In the present system the elected wing can only pass a resolution, but can't make the administrative wing work.'' The mayor should be given more powers to carry out development works. After all it is the mayor, who is accountable to the people not the municipal commissioner, he observes.

Under the present system the civic chief earns all laurels, whereas the mayor does not get his due, they point out. Citing an example, they say when S R Rao got all credit for changing the face of the city, the elected wing felt its efforts were not recognised. ``Rao could not have done anything without our co-operation,'' former mayor Fakirbhai Chauhan says.

Savitaben Sharda, who is one of the contenders for the post of the mayor, however, has not lost hope. She feels women can still make it despite the new system.

Making a strong plea for reservation of women in MIC, a women councillor said she could not dream of becoming a councillor, had there been no reserved seats for woman.

Former mayor Ajit Desai, who was the vice-chairman of the All-India MIC during 1992-93, asserts that there is no need for reservation, questioning is the post of the chief minister and the prime minister reserved?

The general board is to meet on June 30, the day mayor Navneet Jariwala's tenure comes to an end.

However, sources say Jariwala is likely to be asked to officiate till the new system comes in force.