Shiv Sena (UBT) Files Police Complaint and Puts Up Missing Posters for Four KDMC Corporators
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing political battle for control of Maharashtra's civic corporations, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has taken the extraordinary step of filing a police complaint and putting up missing posters for four of its newly elected Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) members. The party has been desperately searching for these corporators for eleven days since the election results were declared, making repeated phone calls, sending emails, and conducting house visits without success.
Intense Power Struggle for Control of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation
The 122-member KDMC election emerged as the second-most watched municipal contest in Maharashtra after Mumbai, with no single party securing a clear majority. This has created a fierce tug-of-war for control of the corporation, particularly the crucial mayor's post. The four missing corporators – Madhur Mhatre, Kirti Dhone, Swapnali Kene, and Rahul Kot – have become central figures in this political drama, with their allegiance potentially determining which party gains control of the civic body.
The current composition of the KDMC reveals a closely divided house:
- The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena holds 53 seats, making it the single-largest party
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) follows closely with 50 members
- The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has secured five wards
- The Shiv Sena (UBT) won eleven wards, including the four now considered "missing"
Strategic Importance of the Four Corporators in the Numbers Game
Political calculations show that the Shinde-led Shiv Sena already enjoys the support of the MNS's five corporators. If they manage to secure the allegiance of the four missing Sena (UBT) members, their tally would reach 62 – exactly the majority mark in the 122-member house. This would give them control of the KDMC without needing BJP support.
The BJP finds itself excluded from the mayor's race this term as the post is reserved for the Scheduled Tribe category, and the party lacks an eligible corporator. Control of the KDMC would therefore represent a significant political victory for the Shinde Sena in its ongoing power struggle with ally BJP.
Kalyan-Dombivli Emerges as Key Political Battleground
The Kalyan-Dombivli region has transformed into a crucial political arena between Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and BJP Maharashtra president Ravindra Chavan. Shinde has traditionally maintained strong influence in this area, with his son Shrikant Shinde serving as the Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan. Meanwhile, Chavan hails from Dombivli, making control of the local municipal corporation particularly significant for both leaders.
Beyond local implications, gaining an upper hand in the KDMC would provide valuable bargaining power in the parallel struggle for the Mumbai mayor's post, which remains undecided. The Sena (UBT) leadership expresses concern that their corporators have become mere pawns in this larger political game.
Background of the Missing Corporators and Political Allegations
Two of the missing corporators – Madhur Mhatre and Kirti Dhone – were previously associated with the Shinde Sena but contested the KDMC elections on UBT tickets after failing to secure nominations from their former party. Mhatre defeated former deputy mayor Vicky Tare from Ward 21 in Kalyan East, while Dhone won from Ward 13A in the same area.
Rahul Kot, who secured victory from Ward 4 in Dombivli, and Swapnali Kene, winner from Ward 6 in Kalyan West, reportedly began their political careers with the MNS before joining the Sena (UBT).
Police Complaint Details and Allegations of Inducement
Sharad Patil, the UBT's Kalyan East district chief, filed a formal complaint at the Kolsewadi Police Station, urging authorities to trace the missing corporators using CCTV footage, Call Data Records, and mobile tower location data. A senior police officer confirmed that the matter is under investigation.
Patil made serious allegations about political inducements, stating: "They received tickets from us, contested on our symbol, and won because people voted for the Sena (UBT). Now they have suddenly become untraceable. This represents a betrayal of the people of Kalyan."
The UBT leader further claimed that the Shinde Sena is attempting to lure away more of their corporators, with promises of protection from disqualification even if anti-defection laws are applied. However, Patil asserted that his party would initiate disqualification proceedings against anyone who crosses over.
Failed Communication Attempts and Family Resistance
Patil revealed that all attempts to contact the four corporators have failed, including phone calls, emails, and outreach through mutual contacts. When party representatives visited their homes, family members reportedly refused to disclose their whereabouts and even reacted aggressively to the inquiries.
In response to the situation, the Sena (UBT) has formally registered its remaining seven corporators as a separate group within the KDMC, while continuing their search for the missing four members through both police channels and public appeals.
