Daijiworld Media Network - Kalyan-Dombivli

Kalyan-Dombivli, Mar 17: A political upheaval has struck the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation just ahead of its first general body meeting, as councillor Madhur Mhatre joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde group) in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde following his expulsion from the Thackeray faction. This sudden shift has sparked speculation that while the Thackeray faction has lost ground, Shinde’s camp has strengthened its influence in KDMC politics, sending shockwaves across the local political circle.

In the KDMC elections, the Thackeray faction had secured 11 seats, but recently four councillors—Madhur Mhatre, Kirti Dhone, Rahul Kot, and Swapnali Kene—became unreachable, fuelling rumours of their contact with the Shinde faction. Party secretary Varun Sardesai issued a showcause notice, and when satisfactory replies were not received, Mhatre was expelled from the party on Monday morning. Immediately after, he met Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and formally joined the Shinde faction in the presence of MLA Rajesh More, taking the saffron flag and stating that his decision was guided by the vision of 20th-century Hindutva and to support development initiatives.

While Mhatre switched sides, the remaining three councillors—Rahul Kot, Swapnali Kene, and Kirti Dhone—met Thackeray faction leaders, reaffirming their loyalty. Rahul Kot clarified that they were away for personal reasons and false rumours were being spread about them, stabilising the Thackeray camp’s strength at 10 councillors.

Mhatre’s move could trigger a legal battle, as Thackeray camp leaders Umesh Borgavkar and Pratod Sanket Bhoir have approached the Divisional Commissioner seeking his disqualification. If his councillor position is revoked, a by-election may be held in his ward.

The general body meeting today will see key appointments in the Education Committee and Women and Child Welfare Committee, and in view of the tense political scenario, heavy police deployment including the State Reserve Police Force has been made outside the municipal premises.