The political landscape of Ulhasnagar is witnessing a significant realignment as the Secular Alliance of India (SAI) Party has returned to the Shiv Sena fold ahead of the crucial municipal corporation elections. This move, marking the party's familiar role as a political kingmaker, has dramatically reshaped the power equations in the city, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest.
A Strategic Alliance Reforged
Under the leadership of its prominent figure, former deputy mayor Jeevan Idnani, the SAI Party has fielded 11 candidates for the polls. This demonstrates its clear intent to remain a pivotal force, even as the broader contest appears to be a direct fight between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and an alliance led by Shiv Sena. The SAI has formally joined hands with Shiv Sena and Team Omie Kalani (TOK), creating a formidable coalition to counter the BJP, which is contesting all 78 seats independently.
The party's commitment is underscored by the candidacy of Jeevan Idnani himself, along with his wife and former mayor, Asha Idnani. Their close associate, Sunil Gangwani, is also in the fray, strengthening the SAI's grip on strategically important wards. The alliance's unity was publicly displayed when Idnani shared the stage with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a recent rally, sending a powerful message to voters and opponents alike.
A History of Shifting Loyalties
The SAI Party's political journey is deeply intertwined with Ulhasnagar's volatile alliance politics. Its association with Shiv Sena dates back to 2007, when it won 12 corporator seats and, with Sena's backing, secured the mayor's post. Despite experiencing internal splits, the party maintained its relevance in 2012 by winning 11 seats and once again sharing power with the Sena.
A significant shift occurred in 2017. After winning 12 seats, the SAI Party aligned with the BJP and TOK. However, this partnership was short-lived. Following TOK's decision to switch sides, Shiv Sena eventually returned to power. Now, after nearly 12.5 years, the SAI's return to the Sena camp is being viewed by observers not as a mere switch, but as a strategic recalibration of local politics.
Complicated Arithmetic and High Stakes
The reformation of the Sena-TOK-SAI combine has considerably bolstered Shiv Sena's prospects, particularly in a scenario where the electoral mandate may be fragmented. For the BJP, which has been campaigning aggressively to install its own mayor in Ulhasnagar, the SAI Party's move has complicated the electoral arithmetic immensely.
With the kingmaker back in play, the civic polls have transformed into a complex power game. The outcome may not be decided solely on polling day; post-poll alignments and negotiations could prove to be just as crucial as the public verdict. The return of this influential player ensures that the battle for control of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation will be fiercely contested until the very end.
