The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena decision to support the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has drawn harsh reactions from the Shiv Sena (UBT), with leader and MP Sanjay Raut warning that the move could have consequences for the understanding between MNS and Sena (UBT).
In Maharashtra, the real post-election battle is not between rival alliances, but within Mahayuti himself. The power struggle between the BJP and the Shinde Sena is now centered on three key municipal corporations: the BMC, Thane (Eknath Shinde‘), and Kalyan-Dombivli or KDMC, and the BJP even threatened to sit in opposition in Thane and KDMC to counter Shinde’s pressure tactics for the BMC mayor’s post. The fractured verdict in the KDMC, where the Shiv Sena fell short of a majority, has turned post-election alliances into points of leverage, with the MNS emerging as an unlikely power broker.
Raut said he spoke to both Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on the issue and added that the Sena (UBT) chief has taken a serious view of the development. “The Kalyan-Dombivli issue is extremely serious. This cannot be brushed aside by simply calling it a local level decision. If any local leadership works against the core ideology of the party, then the party leadership should take disciplinary action against him and suspend him,” Raut said.
Drawing a parallel with past political actions, Raut added: “Just as the Congress expelled its 12 corporators who joined the BJP, an equally strict decision is expected here too. Some people leave parties for purely selfish reasons. Raj Thackeray has also expressed displeasure over such trends.”
Raut also criticized leaders who change sides after elections. “Those who keep switching parties are political psychopaths. People who get elected on the Shiv Sena symbol and then help another faction must face immediate action. The party leadership must clearly convey that it does not agree with such behaviour,” he said.
Attacking the Shinde-led faction, Raut said, “The Shinde group is the AIMIM among the Marathi people. They are dishonest and anti-Maharashtra. Those who betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray and Maharashtra should not associate politically under any circumstances.”
The KDMC election had returned a fractured verdict. In the 122-member corporation, the Shiv Sena won 53 seats, far ahead of the BJP, which won 51. The majority mark is 62, making post-poll support crucial.
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On Wednesday, Shiv Sena registered its group at Konkan Bhavan in Navi. Bombay and lodged a complaint with the Konkan divisional commissioner, asserting its position as the largest party in the civic body.
MNS businessmen were also present. MNS leader Raju Patil met Shiv Sena MPs Shrikant Shinde and Naresh Mhaske, following which the MNS formally extended its support to the Shinde Sena and the announcement was made.
