Where Are the Corporators? Shiv Sena (UBT) Flags Missing Members in Kalyan-Dombivli

Maharashtra: The political atmosphere in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) of Maharashtra has suddenly become heated. After the corporation elections held on January 15, four Shiv Sena (UBT) councilors are neither associated with the party nor have come in contact. This matter has now taken the form of a political controversy because the shortage of these councilors may affect the power equation.

Who are these four councilors, and since when have they been missing?

The names of these four councilors are Madhur Mhatre, Kirti Dhone, Rahul Kot and Swapnali Kene. All of them had won the voting on the election symbol of Shiv Sena (UBT), but after winning the elections, the party was not able to answer their phone calls nor was there any direct contact with them. Local people and close family members say that their location is not known.

What steps did the party take for the missing councilors?

Shiv Sena (UBT) has put up “missing” posters of these councilors in different areas of the city. Party leaders say that they tried to contact several times, but received no response. For this reason, the party has started a poster campaign so that the public can also provide information about them or understand why they are missing.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have also warned that if these councilors join any other group, action will be taken against them and they can be disqualified from the post.

Was a complaint also lodged with the police?

The party has also lodged a complaint at Kolsewadi police station regarding the missing councillors. UBT leaders have said that the councilor will neither come to party meetings nor answer the phone, so this matter is not just a political problem but a question related to democratic values ​​and public trust. Senior police officials have said that no missing case has been officially registered yet as it is believed that the councilor himself has gone somewhere.

What does this controversy mean in the big picture?

Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation has a total of 122 members. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has 52 seats, and BJP has 51 seats. Mahavikas Aghadi-ally Shiv Sena (UBT) has 11 seats. If the four missing councilors join the Shinde-block or get their support, it could open the way for the Shinde faction to reach the required figure of 62 for majority. For this reason, the phase of political strategies, manipulation and allegations and counter-allegations has intensified.