Cracks emerge among Shiv Sena allies in Ulhasnagar, BJP poised to gain

ULHASNAGAR: The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation elections have exposed growing cracks within the Shiv Sena’s alliance, raising questions over coordination among its allied parties and potentially opening the door for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to gain an advantage. In at least two key wards, candidates from Shiv Sena’s allies—the Secular Alliance of India (SAI) Party and Team Omie Kalani (TOK)—are contesting directly against each other, undermining the unity of the alliance.

According to sources, despite an understanding on seat-sharing, last-minute decisions to field candidates have led to head-to-head contests between alliance partners. This has created confusion among workers and voters alike, with a strong possibility of Shiv Sena–backed votes getting divided.




Political observers believe that such internal friction could directly benefit the BJP, which is aggressively contesting against Shiv Sena in Ulhasnagar on all 78 seats.

The situation is most visible in Panel No. 9- B, where a triangular contest has emerged between the SAI Party, TOK, and the BJP. Sources say the three-ward panel was initially planned with two seats for TOK and one for the SAI Party.

However, TOK’s decision to field Kavita Lassi against the SAI party candidate Asha Idnani disrupted the equation. Kavita Lassi is the wife of Manoj Lassi, considered close to the TOK chief Omie Kalani.

The SAI Party has fielded former mayor Asha Idnani, wife of party chief Jeevan Idnani, while the BJP has nominated Deepa Narayan Punjabi, whose husband Narayan was a former corporator from the same ward.

Similar confusion has surfaced in Panel 5-D, where SAI Party candidate Sunil Gangwani is facing Shiv Sena nominee Vicky Bhullar, resulting in two alliance candidates in the same ward against BJP's candidate.

SAI party chief Jeevan Idnani has accused TOK of betrayal, alleging that despite senior leaders understanding that in these both panel one SAI party's candidate will contest TOK also fielded their candidate. He has asserted that the SAI party will fight strongly and ensure its candidate’s victory. On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader Arun Aasan termed the contest a “friendly fight,” stating that Asha Idnani is the official party candidate and Manoj Lassi is also aligned with them.

Sources suggest Shiv Sena needs both the Kalani group and the SAI Party who has strong hold in Sindhi dominated areas to secure power in the corporation, and senior leaders are aware of the situation and may take a decision soon.

In Ulhasnagar, BJP, Congress and NCP contesting elections seperately while Shiv Sena contesting election in alliance with SAI and TOK.

Until clarity emerges, the immediate beneficiary in these wards appears to be the BJP, as alliance disunity reshapes Ulhasnagar’s electoral dynamics.