Daijiworld Media Network – Ulhasnagar

Ulhasnagar, Sep 8: In a move that has stirred the political waters ahead of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) elections, Team Omie Kalani (TOK) has entered into an alliance with Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction, sidelining the BJP at the local level. Both parties described the tie-up as a “Friendship Alliance.”

The alliance was formally announced on Saturday at Kalani Mahal in a joint press conference attended by Shiv Sena leaders Rajendra Chaudhary, Bhullar Maharaj, Arun Ashan, and TOK leaders Omie Kalani, Narendra Kumari, Manoj Lassi, Kamlesh Nikam, and Sumit Chakraborty.

This partnership is not new—TOK had earlier extended support to Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Shinde during the Lok Sabha elections, giving him a decisive lead from Ulhasnagar. With 21 corporators securing victory in the last UMC polls, TOK has been seen as a decisive force in local politics.

Political circles had speculated that TOK might align with BJP this time, but after the party declined, five of its former corporators crossed over to the saffron party. In this backdrop, Omie Kalani opted to revive his earlier collaboration with the Sena. “This alliance is built on the success of our Lok Sabha partnership,” Kalani said.

Shiv Sena leader Rajendra Chaudhary clarified that while the Sena’s “natural alliance” is with the BJP, at the local level it has chosen to ally with TOK. “We will act in accordance with the decision of our senior leadership when the UMC elections are announced,” he stated.

Reacting to the development, BJP MLA Kumar Ailani asserted, “In the upcoming UMC elections, BJP will emerge as the single largest party, and the mayor will be from BJP.”

With this alliance, the political battle in Ulhasnagar is set to intensify as major parties prepare for a high-stakes civic showdown.