KDMC: Shiv Sena plunges ahead of BJP, NCP

The Sainiks under Udhav Thakeray bagged 52 out of 122 seats, while BJP earned 42

In the recently concluded Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation elections, the Shiv Sena achieved a vast 52 seats out of the 122 municipal member body, yet falling short of a clear majority in the house. On the other hand, it shot ahead of its ally-turned-rival, the BJP, which managed a victory in a mellower 42 seats. This comes as another blow to the already strained relations between the two parties, which broke their alliance only a few days prior to the elections.

Meanwhile, in this bitter battle, the other contesting parties including the MNS, the NCP and the Congress were reduced to a total minority of 15 seats, with the Raj Thakeray led MNS bagging 9 seats and the NCP and the Congress retaining 3 seats each. The BSP and the AIMIM won a seat each and other candidates retained a total of 9 seats. Since there is no majority in the House, the Shiv Sena will be forced into forming newer alliances. What makes things complicated is that, the Shiv Sena broke its ties with its fellow saffron party, the BJP, right before the polls, which led to a brutal word war during over the course of the elections. A minister of the Shiv Sena, Eknath Shinde, who handled the poll campaign in the Kalyan-Dombivli region, said, “The voters did not fall prey to the misleading campaign of others (BJP).”

The Shiv Sena was , however, was left shaken when Mayor Kalyani Patil lost her seat to BJP’s Suman Nikam. In comparison to last year, the Shiv Sena added 21 seats to its kitty and the BJP added a sweet 31 seats. Furthermore, the AIMIM is likely to support the BJP like it has done previously.In contrast, in the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation elections, the Congress-NCP alliance emerged as a single largest party, but individually the two parties will be unable to fulfil a majority.

Despite their win, the Shiv Sena continued to comment and asked ‘those who have one to introspect’. Adding to it, they said that even though most of BJP’s cabinet ministers had arrived to campaign in the twin cities, it was they who one.

With the ten-seat shortfall for simple majority still worrying the Sainiks, they must seek help from other parties or consider reconciliation with the BJP once again, which is sure to involve some heavy compromises.

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