The city controller accused Mayor Bloomberg Sunday of using “threats” and strong-arm tactics in his pursuit of a third term, while billionaire Tom Golisano prepared to open his wallet to fight the mayor’s plans.

“Threats have been made against members who are voting no or are undecided,” said Controller William Thompson, who also is planning to run for mayor.

“I don’t think anyone has seen anything like this.”

Thompson offered no details, saying only that Bloomberg is bullying groups that get city money and threatening members’ pet projects and leadership jobs.

The latest accusations came on a day of dueling news conferences – there were at least five – over the mayor’s bid to extend term limits, which could reach a vote in the City Council as early as Thursday.

Undecided Council members’ phones were ringing with calls from each other as they traded notes on pressure they were getting from both sides to support or oppose Bloomberg’s plan.

“It could backfire with me,” warned undecided City Councilman Alan Gerson (D-Manhattan).

“At the end of the day, the political pressure is going to be a wash, so we’ll be able to make a decision on the merits.”

Bloomberg’s and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s offices denied Thompson’s charge. “We are building support for our bill, like we do for any other bill the administration introduces, but we are doing it appropriately,” a mayoral spokesman said.

Golisano has pledged to spend $5 million to influence state politics through his group Responsible New York, but his plans on term limits are unclear. Insiders expect a push of TV and radio ads as well as a mail blitz calling the Council vote undemocratic.

“[Golisano's] going to make his own direct appeal to the public,” said Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn), a leading opponent of the mayor’s plan.

Source: NY Daily News