Normally, the tenure of officials the rank of DMC is two years. ``I had taken over as the DMC (zone III) on October 5 last year. In just four months, the civic administration seems to be unhappy with me,'' a bitter Rokde told Express Newsline. ``Several politicians, especially those from the Shiv Sena, are unhappy with my demolition work,'' the former police officer added. Civic officials apart, police officers who would assist civic squads in demolition drives are said to be equally upset. Some former politicians from Zone IIIare planning to file a Public Interest Litigation against the transfer. Although Rokde has been stripped of charge of any zone, he still retains the License and encroachments (demolition) department. This is a deliberate move to throw detractors off guard, said civic sources.

Rokde's stand on demolitions did him in, said top officials. Several parts of Zone III, especially Andheri (E) and Bandra, are dotted with illegal constructions, allegedly with the support of Shiv Sena politicians. Bharat Nagar in Bandra (east) and parts of Jogeshwari, where illegal construction is rampant, are constituencies for Sena corporators like Bala Sawant and Ravindra Waikar.

Rokde's decision to demolish illegal shops allegedly built by Sena corporator and MIC member Shubash Kanta Sawant in Andheri (east) proved to be his deathknell, said civic sources. Hectic political lobbying is said to have taken place within the Sena.

``Why should there be a reason for the transfer?'' commissioner Girish Gokhale demanded to know. ``Itwas an administrative decision,'' was all he stated. Gokhale also claimed that the transfer had nothing to do with the demolitions Rokde was conducting. ``So what if he was in his post for just four months? He could have been there for four days and be transferred,'' said Gokhale. V W Joshi, who clocked eight years as DMC (Zone III) before being transferred after the Govind Towers collapse in Bandra, has just one year left to retire. But Rokde doesn't grudge Joshi, saying, ``Joshi did his best in the circumstances one must work under.''