The political landscape in Kalyan-Dombivli has taken a definitive shape as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) have officially cemented their seat-sharing agreement for the crucial upcoming Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections. The pact, finalized after deliberations, outlines a clear division of the 122 electoral wards.
Seat Distribution and Campaign Kick-off
As per the finalized formula, the Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest 68 seats, while its ally, the MNS, will field candidates in 54 seats. The formal election machinery for the MNS is set to roll into action immediately. The party's former MLA, Pramod (Raju) Patil, announced that the distribution of AB forms to prospective candidates will commence from Sunday evening.
He confirmed that the process of filing nominations will begin on Monday and is anticipated to be wrapped up within the subsequent two days. This marks the official start of a high-stakes campaign for control of the civic body, which is going to polls after a gap of nearly a decade.
Alliance Confidence and Internal Criticism of Rivals
Exuding confidence in the new partnership, Patil asserted that the alliance is poised to secure victory in the KDMC polls and that the MNS will have its mayor in the municipal corporation. He took the opportunity to launch a sharp critique against the rival Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction).
"The Mahayuti's alliance exists on paper, it lacks unity at the grassroots level. The alliance has happened in words, not in spirit," Patil stated. He further alleged that several leaders formerly with the MNS had defected to the Shinde faction and the BJP ahead of the elections after making monetary contributions in hopes of securing tickets.
"They have not received nominations there and are now calling us, asking to be taken back. The doors of the MNS are permanently closed for them," he declared emphatically. Patil also pointed to perceived discontent within the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde), suggesting that a large number of ticket aspirants across parties are likely to face disappointment due to the intense competition after a 10-year gap.
Joint Rally and Call for Apolitical Religious Discourse
In a significant show of strength, the alliance plans an aggressive campaign spearheaded by its top leadership. A joint public rally featuring MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray is on the cards for Kalyan and Dombivli. A formal request has been submitted to both leaders to reserve a day for this major political event.
Shifting focus to another contemporary issue, Patil also reacted to recent political remarks made by some Jain monks. He advocated for religious figures to maintain a distance from partisan politics. "Saints and monks should focus on their spiritual duties and avoid comments that could benefit any political party during elections," he advised, emphasizing the need for a clear separation between spiritual guidance and electoral maneuvering.
With the seat deal sealed and campaign strategies being drawn, the political battle for the KDMC is set to intensify, making it a key electoral battleground in Maharashtra's political theatre.
