In a significant development ahead of the crucial Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been hit by a major resignation. Senior party leaders and a prominent political couple, Kasturi Desai and Kaustubh Desai, have announced their exit from the party and all organizational posts.
A Power Couple Exits the MNS
The resignation of the Desais is viewed as a severe blow to the MNS's structure in the Kalyan region. Kasturi Desai, a former corporator, held the position of the party's city women’s president. Her husband, Kaustubh Desai, is the former city president of the MNS in Kalyan. Their combined influence and grassroots connect made them key assets for the party.
In their official statement, the leaders clarified that they took this decision "in the interest of their wards and party workers." Kaustubh Desai further indicated that their future political plans would be revealed shortly, fueling intense speculation about their next destination.
Failed Talks and Mounting Speculation
Rumors about the Desais' potential departure had been circulating for weeks. Last month, in a bid to control the damage, MNS chief Raj Thackeray personally called the couple for discussions. Despite these high-level talks aimed at reconciliation, the Desais formally submitted their resignations on Wednesday, signaling a final breakdown in negotiations.
While no official confirmation has been provided, political sources strongly suggest that the Desais are likely to join either the Shiv Sena or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move would significantly bolster the receiving party's prospects in the upcoming civic polls.
Part of a Larger Trend Weakening MNS
The exit of the Desais is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend for the MNS in the Kalyan-Dombivli belt. The party's organizational strength has been eroding due to a series of defections.
Just last month, the MNS suffered another heavy loss when its Kalyan district president and former corporator, Prakash Bhoir, along with two other ex-corporators and hundreds of supporters, switched allegiance to the BJP. This exodus of experienced local leaders has left the party's local unit severely weakened at a critical juncture.
Implications for Alliances and Electoral Prospects
This development arrives at a politically sensitive time. Talks of a potential grand alliance between the MNS and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction were gaining momentum in Mumbai and Kalyan-Dombivli ahead of the civic elections. The resignation of key leaders like the Desais now raises serious questions about the MNS's stability and its value as an alliance partner.
With influential figures leaving the party just months before the KDMC polls, political analysts believe the MNS faces a steep challenge in retaining its voter base. The party's ability to mount a credible campaign is now under scrutiny. All eyes are on whether this resignation triggers further exits and how it will ultimately impact the electoral landscape of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation elections.
