Stunned by the no-confidence motion against Municipal Commissioner T S Chandrashekhar which was passed by the General Body of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) yesterday, residents from various strata have expressed utter shock and downright disgust at the prospect of his removal.

The commissioner, whose resolve to chuck the muck from Thane has never wavered, has clearly won the popular vote, hands-down. Posters expressing public support pepper the city's walls, immolation threats have been made, a signature campaign was undertaken and one autorickshaw union even says it will keep its vehicles off the roads from midnight tonight to express its solidarity with the youthful commissioner, who is in his 30s.

Members of the Thane Vikas NagrikSangharsh Samiti stood outside the corporation wearing black bands around their heads in protest today, saying Thane has undergone a sea-change under Chandrashekhar's leadership. ``For the first time, we see footpaths everywhere,'' Harishchandra Chauhan, the Samiti's chairperson and a former Congress corporator, told The Indian Express.

The Samiti also submitted a memorandum to Deputy Municipal Commissioner B R Pokharkar saying they support the demolition of illegal structures in the district. Chauhan says he received at least 250 telephone calls today, both from Thane and outside, from people who said they have lost the little faith they had in their corporators.

The Senior Citizens' Committee here says the commissioner's die-hard spirit and determination is stupendous. ``Since the corporation's inception, no commissioner has really addressed the common man's needs. But when someone like Chandrashekhar personally visits worksites at 3 am, can anyone replace him,'' asks 65-year-old Shivaji Patil, acommittee member.

Says Dr Ranjitsingh G Rajput, a medical practitioner and chairperson of the AMA: ``By launching `Operation Remove Chandrashekhar', the corporators have shown their narrow-mindedness. The beautification of Thane city was possible only because of him. He should be allowed to continue for another 10 years.'' Then, overcome by emotion, Rajput breaks into a chant: ``Chandrashekhar aage badho, hum tumhare saath hai.''

In a sharp indictment of the corporators, Deepak Tari, a social worker from Lokmanya Pada No 2, remarks: ``Chandrashekhar continued his work undeterred but the corporators we elect take advantage and stay on for five years. His demolition drive at Yeoor exposed not only the corporators but several other high-profile politicians and bureaucrats, who put a full-stop to his revolution.''

Smita Raut, a housewife, adds: ``Chandrashekhar is an `oasis in a desert'. It is sad we can't keep a check on the very corporators we elect. The commissioner is a one-man army. Thecorporators are of no use.''

Referring to the commissioner's resolve, Hemlata Deshmukh, an advocate, says the commissioner was able to ``make the impossible, possible''. ``We never thought a congested place like Thane would improve so much. Now that Chandrashekhar has proved he can do it, the corporators want him out because their laziness has been exposed.''

The Viju Natekar Rickshaw and Taxi Union says it will stop plying its vehicles from midnight tonight in protest. ``We want Chandrashekhar,'' they chanted in unison.

Bharatiya Janata Party activists, whose leaders here are supporting the commissioner, pounded the streets and secured the signatures of about 20,000 persons in favour of Chandrashekhar. The campaign is being spearheaded by Veena Bhatia, chairperson of the civic Standing Committee. Bhatia has also organised posters which have been plastered all over the city, calling for ``Public Support to the Municipal Commissioner''.

However, the accolades were punctured by a whimper of dissent,with hawkers in the crowded Kopat area expressing utter dismay. ``If the corporators have voted him out, he should go. Thank goodness someone has finally called a halt to the commissioner's bulldozers,'' smirked Ganesh Wagle, a fruit vendor. Another hawker nearby nods vigorously. ``He took away our homes. Now, he must go,'' said Ranjit Kadam, rummaging in his basket of vegetables.

Immolation threat

Rajesh Adhak, chairperson of the Akhil Kisan Nagar Sangharsh Samiti, says his heart burns for Thane's Demolition man, adding that he and 10 other youths would immolate themselves if Chandrashekhar is indeed removed.

``He has done what earlier bosses failed to achieve. A mere 10 months was enough to bring about a major change in Thane. We shall set ourselves ablaze,'' he vows. ``A workaholic like Chandrashekhar is a source of inspiration to the youth,'' he adds.