There is significant political drama surrounding the formation of the municipal government in the Kalyan–Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has announced its support for the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, an alliance against which both Thackeray brothers had earlier come together and imposed penalties. Interestingly, the Shinde faction has relied on the support of MNS corporators to keep the BJP out of power. This has raised several questions about the future of the “Thackeray brand.” How did those who opposed Eknath Shinde end up supporting him? Did state-level leaders ignore the conflict between the BJP and the Shinde faction in Kalyan–Dombivli? Amid these developments, uncertainty has emerged around Raj Thackeray’s political stance.
In the recent KDMC elections, the BJP won 50 seats, while Shinde’s Shiv Sena secured 53. With 63 corporators required to form the municipal government, both parties attempted to split the 11 corporators belonging to the Thackeray faction. Against this backdrop, some Thackeray-group corporators joined the MNS, which then extended support to Shinde’s Shiv Sena, enabling the formation of the KDMC government. This move is particularly striking as the MNS, which had campaigned alongside Uddhav Thackeray during the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, has now supported his strongest political rival in Kalyan–Dombivli.
Raju Patil: “Raj Thackeray was aware”
MNS local leader Raju Patil claimed that Raj Thackeray was kept informed about the developments. “When we explained the KDMC numbers to Raj Thackeray, he empowered us to take decisions at the local level. By staying out of power, we would not have been able to do justice even to our five corporators,” Patil said. He added that while in power, the MNS would ensure control through a Common Minimum Programme focused on development, and asserted that the decision to support Shinde’s Shiv Sena was taken in the interest of development.
Sanjay Raut: “Raj Thackeray had no idea”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, however, rejected Patil’s claim, stating that Raj Thackeray had no prior knowledge of the decision. “We were told that this decision was taken at the local level and that the party leadership was unaware. This is not the official position of the MNS,” Raut said. He added that after discussions, it was clear that Raj Thackeray himself did not endorse the move.
“Then the alliance should not have been formed”
Raut further criticised the decision, saying political ethics should not be sacrificed. “If local leaders wanted to form such an alliance, then there was no need to align with our Shiv Sena in Kalyan–Dombivli in the first place. We have a firm stand against the Shinde faction, which betrayed Maharashtra. There were only two options, BJP and Shinde coming together. There was no reason for others to intervene,” he said, adding that the issue would be discussed internally.
Did Uddhav Thackeray know?
Raut also claimed that Uddhav Thackeray was aware of the developments from the beginning. “Uddhav Thackeray knew about the meetings involving MNS and Shrikant Shinde from day one. Even now, he is aware of the behind-the-scenes developments,” Raut said.
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