3 minutes of readingBombayFebruary 3, 2026 21:09 IST
Shiv Sena UBT corporator Kirti Dhone, one of the party’s four corporators who had not been traced since January 16, contested the mayoral elections in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Tuesday. When contacted later, Dhone said she had gone out for religious reasons and was not missing.
“I was in touch with senior party leaders and presented my position to them. My health is not good. I will speak at the right time,” Dhone said.
The remaining three corporators did not attend the House proceedings despite the party whip.
The four corporators had lost touch soon after the civic body’s election results were declared on January 16, leading to speculation that they would switch sides to the Deputy Chief Minister-led Shiv Sena. Eknath Shinde.
After failing to contact these “missing” corporators, local Sena leaders (UBT) approached the Thane police for help in locating them and put up posters at the KDMC, stating that the Corporations are “missing” and seeking information about his whereabouts.
Party leaders, including Sanjay Raut, had said that the corporators were not responding to calls and messages, while rival parties claimed that the four were in touch with the Shiv Sena amid the contest for control of the civic body.
On Tuesday, Dhone attended the House for the mayoral election and joined hands with the Sena Corporators (UBT) during the process.
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She was seen wearing a Sena (UBT) scarf with the party symbol ‘Mashaal’ and was sitting with party colleagues.
With Dhone’s presence, six of the nine Sena Corporators (UBT) were present in the House under the leadership of group leader Umesh Borgavkar.
Borgavkar said show-cause notices had been issued to the three absent corporators for violating party discipline.
They have been asked to explain their absence. “After receiving their responses, a decision will be made,” he said.
Asked about reports that two of the absent corporate officers might resign, Borgavkar declined to comment.
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Among those absent was businessman Madhur Mhatre, who had been out of touch for more than two weeks. His family had earlier told the media that he was on a religious trip. Mhatre returned home a few days ago, raising expectations that he would attend the mayoral elections, but he did not show up for the House proceedings.
Mhatre is considered close to Shiv Sena leaders. Soon after winning the civic elections, he met Thane MP Dr Shrikant Shinde along with a corporator from the Shinde faction, fueling speculation about a possible change.
