Daijiworld Media Network - Kalyan

Kalyan, Jan 25: The political tussle in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) intensified on Saturday after the Shiv Sena (UBT) lodged a police complaint over four of its corporators who are allegedly untraceable, amid claims that they may switch allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

The development comes at a crucial time as the Shinde-led Shiv Sena inches closer to a majority in the 122-member KDMC with the support of five corporators from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). At present, the Shiv Sena has 53 corporators, while its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), holds 50 seats. With backing from the five MNS corporators and the four missing Sena (UBT) corporators, the Shinde faction could reach the majority mark of 62.

The Sena (UBT) has 11 corporators in the civic body, of whom only seven have formally registered as a group with the Konkan divisional commissioner. Reports indicate that two corporators are in touch with the Shinde-led Sena, while two others are currently not traceable. Sources said the latter are likely to return to the MNS, having contested the election on the Sena (UBT) symbol due to local political arrangements.

Reacting sharply, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the party had approached the police as its corporators were missing. “They were elected on our symbol. They are traitors and chose a different path within 24 hours of their victory,” he said, adding that the party would also put up posters in the KDMC.

A complaint in this regard was lodged at the Kolsewadi police station by local Sena (UBT) leader Sharad Patil. Party leaders identified the uncontactable corporators as Madhur Mhatre, Kirti Dhone, Rahul Kot and Swapnil Kene. However, a senior police officer from Thane said no missing persons case had been registered, as it appeared the corporators had acted of their own free will.

The developments have triggered unease within both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and among the Thackeray brothers. The Sena (UBT) has already voiced displeasure over the MNS extending support to the Shinde-led Sena. A senior MNS leader claimed that the party had conveyed to Sena (UBT) leaders that without MNS backing, its corporators would have defected to the Shinde faction.

Meanwhile, in the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), the Shiv Sena has decided to sit in the Opposition. Of the 95 seats in the MBMC, the BJP has won 78, the Congress 13 and the Shiv Sena three.

Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Muzaffar Hussain said that three Shiv Sena corporators were originally from the Congress, adding that both the Congress and the Shiv Sena would remain in the Opposition.