BJP looks to seize power at expense of ex-ally Shiv Sena

With the campaigning for the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) polls coming to an end on Friday, battle lines have been drawn between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, the two alliance partners in the state government. Both parties are contesting separately and fighting bitterly with each other, and the poll results will have a direct bearing on their relationship at the state level in future.

The two parties are contesting the KDMC polls separately for the first time in two decades, and stakes are high for both. Like the state, the BJP, which was earlier playing second fiddle to Shiv Sena in the KDMC, has decided to go all out to seize power at the expense of its senior partner.

However, Kalyan-Dombivali has been a traditional bastion for the Sena. In the last civic polls, despite the MNS wave, Sena had emerged as the single largest party winning 31 seats. The BJP had contested 45 seats out of 107 and won only nine. The Congress won 15 seats, NCP 15, and the MNS 26. There were 21 independents.

However, a lot of water has flown under the bridge in the last five years. Buoyed by the success at the Centre and the state, the BJP has been assertive lately. Its chances have been bolstered as its two MLAs – Ravindra Chavan and Narendra Pawar – were elected from the Kalyan-Dombivali region. Ganpat Gaikwad, who won as an independent, also later joined the party further boosting its strength in the area. With three MLAs in its ranks, the party is hoping to give a strong performance in the KDMCpolls, which will be held on November 1.

The Raj Thackeray-led MNS is fighting the battle of survival. While it had emerged as the second largest party in the last KDMC polls, the party is fast losing its popularity. The party is pitching its performance in the Nashik local body to woo voters, which might have a positive effect, feel political experts.

A senior political expert Vikas Katdare said, “The Nashik performance could prove a saving grace for the MNS, but not to a large extent. There will be a hung corporation, with Shiv Sena retaining its position as the single largest party. Despite its best efforts, the BJP will not be able to dislodge it from the top. As far as Congess and the NCP are concerned, both will be wiped out in the polls.”