Two Shiv Sena (UBT) Corporators Vanish in Kalyan, Triggering Political Turmoil
Political tensions are running high in Kalyan-Dombivli after two corporators from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) suddenly became unreachable. The missing individuals are Madhur Mhatre and Kirti Dhone. Their unexplained absence has sent shockwaves through local political circles and intensified rumors about possible shifts in political loyalty.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Takes Swift Action Against Missing Members
The Shiv Sena (UBT) has responded with urgency to this developing situation. Party leadership has instructed all its elected representatives to attend crucial group formation meetings without fail. A clear warning has been issued that skipping these meetings could lead to serious legal repercussions.
Sharad Patil, the Kalyan district president for Shiv Sena (UBT), took personal charge of the matter. He visited the homes of both missing corporators and delivered formal written notices. In a conversation with TOI, Patil confirmed that two out of the party's eleven corporators were currently unreachable.
"We have served written notices demanding their presence at the group formation meeting," Patil stated emphatically. "These letters explicitly state that failure to attend will result in disciplinary action, which may include disqualification from their councillor positions."
Recent Election Results Set Stage for Current Standoff
The political drama unfolds against the backdrop of recently concluded elections for the 122-member Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation. Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 53 councillors. The Bharatiya Janata Party followed closely with 50 seats.
Other parties secured smaller numbers. Shiv Sena (UBT) won 11 seats, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena obtained five, Congress took several seats, and NCP (SP) managed one. Notably, Shiv Sena and BJP contested these elections together as partners in the Mahayuti alliance.
BJP leaders have been actively pushing for a specific power-sharing arrangement. They propose splitting the mayor's term equally between the two parties, with each holding the position for two and a half years. However, the continued disappearance of Mhatre and Dhone has sparked fresh speculation.
Many now wonder if the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena might be considering forming the civic administration independently, without relying on their alliance partner.
BJP Leader Dismisses Rumors of Independent Sena Rule
Former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar reacted strongly to reports suggesting Shiv Sena might go solo. He emphasized that voters delivered a clear mandate in favor of the Mahayuti alliance during the elections.
"The people have voted decisively for Mahayuti, so we are demanding that BJP should get the first two-and-a-half-year term as mayor," Pawar explained. He added that final decisions would be made by senior alliance leaders through proper consultation.
Pawar firmly denied claims that Shiv Sena was attempting to form the civic body independently. "We have spoken with senior Shiv Sena leaders who have categorically denied any such move," he asserted. "They have clearly stated that the mayor will come from the Mahayuti alliance."
The BJP leader made another interesting revelation. He claimed that several councillors from both MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) have been in contact with BJP representatives. Despite these communications, Pawar reiterated that their primary focus remains securing the mayor's position for Mahayuti.
"Our only insistence is that BJP should receive the first two-and-a-half-year mayoral term," he concluded firmly.
Political Uncertainty Looms as Negotiations Continue
With crucial negotiations still ongoing and two key corporators remaining untraceable, the political battle over power-sharing in KDMC shows no signs of cooling down. All indications suggest this confrontation will intensify significantly in the coming days as parties maneuver for advantage.
The situation remains fluid and unpredictable. Political observers are watching closely to see whether the missing corporators reappear, whether alliances hold firm, and how the delicate balance of power will ultimately be resolved in Kalyan-Dombivli's municipal administration.
