In a significant political shift that has reignited controversy, Manoj Gharat, the former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) city president for Dombivli, formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday. His induction, conducted in the presence of state BJP president Ravindra Chavan, comes on the heels of his dramatic last-minute withdrawal from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections, which paved the way for a BJP candidate to win unopposed.
The Withdrawal That Sparked a Political Storm
Gharat, a former corporator, was originally contesting the KDMC polls on an MNS ticket. However, in a move that stunned local political circles, he withdrew his nomination on the final day for such withdrawals. This decision directly resulted in the unopposed election of BJP candidate Mahesh Patil.
The withdrawal did not go unnoticed. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut swiftly alleged that Gharat had accepted a staggering ₹5 crore to step aside in favour of the BJP candidate. At the time, Gharat offered no public clarification, but the accusation triggered a major political controversy across Maharashtra, casting a shadow over the civic election process.
A Pattern of Unopposed Wins in KDMC Polls
Gharat's case was not an isolated incident in the KDMC elections. Reports indicate a larger pattern where 20 candidates were elected unopposed. Shockingly, 18 of these victories were secured after rival candidates, primarily from the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), withdrew their nominations.
As one of the most prominent local leaders to take this step, Gharat's action raised serious questions about the unity and internal cohesion within the opposition ranks in the region. It pointed to potential dissent and strategic failures at a critical juncture in the electoral battle.
Strategic Gain for BJP, Major Blow for MNS
With his formal entry into the BJP, the controversy surrounding his initial withdrawal has resurfaced with full force. For the BJP, Gharat's defection represents a strategic organisational strengthening in Dombivli just ahead of the polls, adding a local face with grassroots understanding.
Conversely, the MNS has suffered a substantial setback. Losing a key city-level president at the height of election campaigning is a significant blow, weakening their ground-level structure and morale. This episode underscores the intense, often turbulent, nature of local political realignments in Maharashtra, where allegiances can shift rapidly, altering the electoral landscape overnight.
