KDMC polls: Thackeray deal done, UBT to contest 68 seats & MNS gets 54

KALYAN: The seat-sharing formula between the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) for the upcoming Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections has been finalised. Of the total 122 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest 68 seats, while the MNS will field candidates in 54 seats.

According to MNS's Ex-MLA Pramod (Raju) Patil, the MNS will begin distributing AB forms to its candidates from Sunday evening, marking the formal start of its election preparations. Nomination filing will start from Monday and is expected to be completed within the next two days.




Patil taken dig at Mahayuti's alliance in KDMC saying that while the Mahayuti's alliance exists on paper, it lacks unity at the grassroots level. “The alliance has happened in words, not in spirit,” Patil said. He alleged that several leaders who were earlier associated with the MNS had switched to the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the BJP ahead of the elections after paying money in the hope of securing tickets. “They have not received nominations there and are now calling us, asking to be taken back. The doors of the MNS are permanently closed for them,” he said.

Patil also pointed to growing unrest within the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), stating that many aspirants are likely to be denied tickets in the civic polls. With municipal elections being held after a gap of nearly 10 years, every party has a large number of ticket-seekers, he said, adding that the disappointment of workers who have toiled for five to ten years but may not get nominations is natural.

Apart from the 54 seats allotted to the MNS, the remaining seats will be contested by Shiv Sena (UBT). The alliance plans an aggressive campaign in Kalyan and Dombivli, including a joint public rally of MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray. A request has been made to both leaders to keep a day reserved for the joint rally.

Expressing confidence, Patil said the alliance would win the KDMC elections and that the MNS would have its mayor in the municipal corporation.

Reacting to recent remarks made by Jain monks, Patil said religious figures should refrain from making political statements. “Saints and monks should focus on their spiritual duties and avoid comments that could benefit any political party during elections,” he said.

Get a chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here