In a dramatic twist following the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) polls, Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape has been jolted by allegations of foul play, mysterious disappearances, and unexpected alliances, signaling an intensifying power struggle.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) has sounded an alarm, accusing rivals of sinister tactics after two of its newly elected corporators vanished without a trace. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a Shiv Sena majority in the civic body, bolstered by support from Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)—a move that has reshaped post-poll equations.
The controversy erupted on Friday when Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Kalyan unit filed a police complaint reporting the sudden disappearance of two freshly elected corporators, Madhur Umesh Mhatre and Kirti Rajan Dhone. Party workers stated that despite frantic outreach to their families and colleagues, all contact had failed, with their phones remaining switched off.
Sharad Shivraj Patil, the district chief, lodged an FIR at the Kolsewadi police station, demanding a missing persons investigation. He warned that the episode threatened “democratic values, law and order, and public trust,” hinting strongly at possible pressure, fraud, or even kidnapping by political adversaries.
Senior police inspector Ganesh Nayinde confirmed a probe is underway. The incident has cast a shadow over the party’s modest victory of 11 seats in the 122-member KDMC, secured in the January 15 elections. Seven of its corporators have already registered as a group under leader Umesh Borgaonkar amid the uncertainty.
The poll results themselves laid the groundwork for the current turmoil. Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party, sweeping 52–53 seats, narrowly edging out the BJP’s 51. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) trailed with 11, while the MNS won five, Congress two, and the NCP (SP) one seat.
The verdict shattered pre-poll alliances, paving the way for unexpected realignments. In a significant move, Shinde’s Sena secured the backing of the MNS to claim a working majority. Shinde hailed the support as development-driven rather than ideological. “MNS backed us for ward progress, just as in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls,” he stated, praising MNS chief Raj Thackeray for prioritizing “larger interests over personal gain.”
The pact effectively blindsided both the Sena (UBT) and the BJP’s erstwhile partners, ensuring a ‘Mahayuti’ coalition mayor in most civic bodies. Shinde took a swipe at the opposition, mocking their “dreams of mayoral claims without numbers.”
Amid the political maneuvering, Shinde used a press conference to unveil a major public welfare campaign named after Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, marking his centenary year. Dubbed the ‘Hinduhridayasamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Urban Public Welfare Campaign’, it features ambitious schemes set to roll out across 29 municipal corporations and 394 councils.
Key initiatives include:
‘Arogya Aplya Daari’: Door-to-door health check-ups, starting in Mumbai’s BMC and expanding statewide, offering zero-prescription, cashless care.
Urban Cleanliness: Fort cleanliness drives, installation of RO filters at UNESCO heritage sites, and creating plastic-free zones.
Financial Support: An honorarium of ₹1 lakh for Shivaji devotees (Shivshakti) and self-defense training for 10,000 girls.
Housing & Funding: Slum redevelopment via MHADA, CIDCO, and MMRDA targeting 4 million homes in Mumbai, with ₹539 crore allocated—₹3 crore per corporation and ₹1 crore per council.
Shinde also dismissed Sena (UBT)’s allegations of rigging in the mayor reservation draws, challenging them to seek court recourse if they had evidence.
The twin developments—the mysterious disappearance of elected representatives and the swift, calculated formation of a new majority—highlight the bare-knuckle nature of Maharashtra’s fractured politics. They underscore how municipal power centers have become critical battlegrounds where allegiances are fluid and the stakes are intensely high.
As police investigate the missing corporators case and the Shinde-led coalition prepares to assume control, the episode serves as a stark reminder that in Maharashtra’s turbulent polity, the drama often begins only after the votes are counted.
Key Poll Numbers at a Glance:
| Party | Seats Won | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Shiv Sena (Shinde) | 52-53 | Leading Party |
| BJP | 51 | Close Contender |
| Shiv Sena (UBT) | 11 | Opposition |
| MNS | 5 | Kingmaker (Backing Shinde) |
| Congress | 2 | Opposition |
| NCP (SP) | 1 | Opposition |
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