In a significant political development aimed at resolving the ongoing stalemate over the mayor's position in Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC), Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar held crucial discussions with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Tuesday. The meeting centered on a proposed 50:50 tenure-sharing arrangement for the mayoral post between the two parties, as reported by local sources.
Background of the Political Impasse
The civic body elections in Chandrapur resulted in a fractured mandate, creating a complex political landscape. Congress emerged as the single largest party with 27 corporators, yet fell short of the majority mark of 34 seats required to secure the mayor's position independently. The Shiv Sena (UBT)-VBA alliance holds 8 seats, including 3 from Congress's pre-poll ally, Bhartiya Shetkari Kisan Paksha.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 24 seats, with additional representation from AIMIM and BSP, each having 1 corporator, along with two Independents, completing the 66-member house. This fragmented outcome has intensified political maneuvering, with both Congress and BJP vying for control.
Congress's Strategic Move
Wadettiwar's visit to Thackeray's residence, 'Matoshree,' was a proactive step to pre-empt potential BJP advances. He described the discussions as constructive, emphasizing that a final decision is anticipated soon after further consultations. The Congress MLA highlighted that his priority remains securing the mayor's post for Congress in Chandrapur, leveraging the party's numerical advantage despite internal factionalism.
He pointed out that in other cities like Akola and Parbhani, Shiv Sena (UBT) would require Congress support, creating a reciprocal expectation for backing in Chandrapur. Wadettiwar expressed confidence in an early resolution, dismissing BJP claims of poaching as mere political rhetoric, and asserted that BJP lacks the necessary numbers to stake a legitimate claim.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP Responses
Sandeep Girhe, Chandrapur Shiv Sena (UBT) district chief, confirmed receiving the power-sharing proposal but cautioned that the alliance's final structure, including the rotational formula and key positions like the standing committee chairmanship, is still under discussion. According to Wadettiwar, the UBT has sought a 2.5-year term each for both the mayor's post and the standing committee chairmanship, with further negotiations to be led by senior Sena MPs Anil Desai and Vinayak Raut.
On the other hand, BJP leaders Sudhir Mungantiwar and Kishor Jorgewar claimed that several Congress corporators have been in touch with them, exploring potential defections. Mungantiwar mentioned that a group of Congress corporators reached out to BJP for dialogue, though he refrained from sharing details due to privacy concerns. Jorgewar has been actively working to bolster BJP's position, aiming to edge past Congress and gain control of the civic body.
Broader Political Implications
This political deadlock in Chandrapur reflects the broader dynamics of Maharashtra's municipal politics, where coalition-building and strategic alliances are crucial in fractured mandates. The proposed 50:50 tenure-sharing model could set a precedent for similar situations in other cities, balancing power between major parties.
Wadettiwar has briefed Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on the talks' outcome, and Sapkal is expected to engage with Sena-UBT leaders to finalize the alliance framework. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on whether Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) can solidify their partnership to counter BJP's influence and ensure stable governance in Chandrapur.
