In a dramatic political development just a week before the crucial civic polls, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has suffered a significant blow in the Kalyan-Dombivli region. The party's candidate from a key ward has switched allegiance, extending unconditional support to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Key Defection in Dombivli Ward
The political landscape shifted when Ramchandra Ganpat Mane, popularly known as Bhima, the official Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Panel No. 30 (D) in Dombivli, formally joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The event took place in the presence of Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, the son of the Chief Minister. Mane declared his support for the Shiv Sena candidate from his panel, Arjun Babu Patil.
One-Sided Contest Emerges
This defection came on the heels of another withdrawal. Earlier, an independent candidate from the same ward, Manoj Bama Patil, had also announced his backing for Arjun Babu Patil. With both rival candidates stepping aside and offering their unconditional support, the electoral contest in Panel No. 30 (D) has effectively become one-sided. This move virtually guarantees an unopposed victory for the Shinde faction's candidate in this panel.
Confidence in Mahayuti's Majority
Speaking at the inauguration of the Shiv Sena's election campaign office in Kalyan, Shrikant Shinde expressed strong confidence in the ruling alliance's prospects. He stated that the Mahayuti coalition is poised to secure a full majority in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). Shinde claimed that not only the public but even members of the opposition are convinced of the Mahayuti's impending victory.
This incident is part of a larger trend for the Mahayuti in these civic polls. Earlier, a total of 20 candidates from the alliance were declared winners unopposed after their opponents withdrew nominations at the last moment. Furthermore, two other candidates secured unopposed victories because no nominations were filed against them at all.
The defection deals a psychological and strategic blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT) campaign in the region, strengthening the Shinde faction's position just days before voters head to the polls.
