The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has reportedly decided to offer support to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra's Thane district.
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde on Wednesday made the claim about the MNS offering support to his party. However, local MNS leaders could not be contacted despite attempts, said news agency PTI while reporting the development.
The MNS's decision could be viewed as a setback to cousin Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), as the two parties fought the January 15 elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) together. The Shinde Sena, meanwhile, fought the local election with the BJP as part of the Mahayuti alliance.
In the 122-member Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), the Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party by winning 53 seats, while ally BJP stands second with 50 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP) have won eleven, two, and one seats respectively.
With the support of the MNS, which has bagged five seats, the total strength of the alliance is now 108.
"Five corporators of the MNS, who have formed their group, have declared their support to the Shiv Sena. But this is only between Shiv Sena and MNS, and not with any other party," the Kalyan MP said.
When asked why the Shiv Sena needs the support of another party when it contested the election together with the BJP, he said the mayor will belong to the Mahayuti combine only.
"Whichever party supports the Shiv Sena is welcome," he said, adding that the MNS has supported the party for stability and development.
"The party (MNS) might be of the view that in development, all of us should be together. Hence, they have supported the Mahayuti. (Local MNS leader and former MLA) Raju Patil is my friend," Shinde added.
The Sena (UBT) corporators may also support the Mahayuti. Whoever extends support for development will be taken along. For the good work that we do, anyone can support, according to him.
"If all come together to form power, there will be no hurdle in development. There will be stability. Everything will function smoothly," the MP was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
He said there has not been any discussion about the posts of mayor, deputy mayor, or chairmen of any civic committee so far.
"The authority for taking these decisions lies with Eknath Shinde and BJP's state president Ravindra Chavan. Both of them may meet today to discuss the issue. All the modalities regarding these posts will be decided during that meeting," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
In the KDMC, the Shiv Sena, BJP, and MNS will elect the mayor as a Mahayuti candidate, while in the neighbouring Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC), the Shiv Sena, BJP, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), Secular Alliance of India (SAI), and independents will elect the mayor, he said.