My aide posted it on Twitter, not me: Mayor Kishori Pednekar

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar. File Pic

In an attempt to clear the controversy raised after a Twitter user received a reply in objectionable language from her official account, Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Thursday claimed the reply was posted by one of her party workers. She also said he has removed her reply from her post and henceforth will not hand over her mobile phone to anyone.

In an interview posted by a news channel on Twitter, the mayor had given information on the response to the tender of vaccines. After a Twitter user asked, "Contract konala dila??" (To whom has the contract been given?), "Tuzya Baapala" (to your father) Pednekar replied.

Also Read: Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar uses objectionable language in tweet, later deletes post

Corporators fume

Corporators across parties condemned this. "As the first citizen of Mumbai, people expect civilised and cultured language from her in the public domain," said Bhalchandra Shirsat, a BJP corporator.

Rais Shaikh, group leader of the Samajwadi Party, said that the goof-up could have been made by her social media managers, but she should clarify it. "The Mayor should maintain the dignity of the office she is holding," he said.

‘Learnt a lesson'

Mayor Pednekar clarified while talking to the media, that she had handed her mobile to one of her aides while attending a programme. She claimed the reply was posted by him out of anger. "Now the person has been removed and I learnt a lesson to not hand over my mobile to anybody henceforth," she said. A three-time corporator from Lower Parel, Pednekar was elected the 77th mayor of the city in 2019.