With the results of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections now out, a high-stakes political tussle has begun over control of the civic body. While the ruling Mahayuti has secured a comfortable majority, the question of who will occupy the mayor’s chair has triggered an intense internal battle between the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction).
The Mahayuti alliance currently commands the support of 103 corporators, enough to easily form the municipal government.
However, the fight over the prestigious mayor’s post has exposed sharp differences between the two alliance partners. Both parties have fielded their strongest contenders, bringing the coalition’s internal rivalry into the open.
In the 103-member strength, the BJP has won 50 seats, while the Shiv Sena (Shinde group) has emerged slightly ahead with 53 corporators. Despite the clear majority required to form the administration, coordination between the two parties appears to be lacking.
According to sources, disagreements have surfaced over the formula that the party with a higher number of corporators should get the mayor’s post. Significantly, both sides are also keeping their options open by reaching out to corporators from opposition parties, signalling readiness to stake a claim independently if needed.
With 53 corporators, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) is seen as having a stronger claim. From the party, city chief Nilesh Shinde, along with Vikas Mhatre, Ramesh Jadhav, Asmita More and Shalini Vayale, are in the race for the mayor’s post.
There is also talk that four to five corporators from the Uddhav Thackeray faction are in touch with the Shinde camp, which could further bolster its numbers and increase pressure on the BJP. Nilesh Shinde is considered a frontrunner due to his strong organisational hold, while Vikas Mhatre is being viewed as a newly elected and aggressive face from Dombivli.
The BJP, meanwhile, is not far behind with 50 corporators, just three fewer than its ally and has firmly asserted its own claim to the mayor’s chair.
Party names doing the rounds include Dipesh Mhatre, Rahul Damle, Varun Patil, Hemlata Pawar (wife of former MLA Narendra Pawar), Shashikant Kamble and Daya Gaikwad. Dipesh Mhatre is known as an experienced strategist, while Rahul Damle is regarded as a senior and seasoned party leader. At the same time, the BJP is said to have stepped up behind-the-scenes efforts to secure support from corporators belonging to the MNS, Congress and the NCP.
Even as political temperatures rise in KDMC, the final outcome will largely depend on the reservation category announced for the mayor’s post.
If the seat is reserved for the open category, the contest is expected to become even more intense.
