The political climate in Ulhasnagar has intensified dramatically following a deep internal split within Union Minister Ramdas Athawale's Republican Party of India (RPI) on the eve of the crucial municipal corporation elections. The party has fractured into two opposing camps, each forming a different electoral alliance, which has significantly altered the local political equations.
Two Seats with Sena vs. Alleged 11-Seat BJP Offer
One faction of the RPI, led by its Ulhasnagar district president Nana Bagul, has formally entered into an alliance with the Shiv Sena for the civic polls. Under this agreement, the Shiv Sena has allotted two seats to the RPI. One of these seats has been given to Nana Bagul himself, while the other has been allocated to his daughter-in-law.
However, this move has sparked a fierce rebellion from the rival faction within the party. On Sunday, this group held a press conference and leveled serious allegations against Bagul. They claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was willing to offer a much more substantial deal of 11 seats to the RPI as part of a pre-poll alliance. They accused Bagul of prioritizing personal and family interests over the party's growth by opting for the Shiv Sena's two-seat offer, thereby causing significant political damage.
Rebel Faction Rallies Behind BJP, Seeks Action
Led by Ulhasnagar RPI general secretary Pandit Nikam, the rebel faction has officially announced its support for the BJP in the ongoing elections. Nikam stated that he would meet Union Minister and party chief Ramdas Athawale on Monday to formally lodge a complaint against Nana Bagul and seek disciplinary action for harming the RPI's interests.
The BJP's district president, Rajesh Vadharya, welcomed this support. He emphasized the long-standing alliance between the BJP and RPI in the city. Vadharya revealed that the BJP had indeed agreed to allot 11 seats to the RPI and was also prepared to grant it separate group status in the municipal corporation if its candidates were elected. He expressed regret that Bagul abruptly chose to ally with the Shiv Sena on the final day of ticket distribution, but satisfaction that a significant section of the RPI is now backing the BJP.
Election Landscape and Fallout
In response to the allegations, Nana Bagul later clarified that he had informed senior party leaders about his decision to ally with the Shiv Sena. The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation elections will be held for 78 seats. Following the failed alliance talks with the RPI faction led by Bagul, the BJP has decided to contest all 78 seats independently.
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has forged local alliances not just with a faction of the RPI, but also with Team Omie Kalani and the SAI Party. This major rift within the RPI has thrown the electoral calculations wide open, making the Ulhasnagar civic polls one of the most keenly watched contests in the region, with alliances and internal party dynamics taking center stage.
