In an effort to end the impasse in the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC), with no party getting a simple majority, the Bhartiya Janata Party on Wednesday has offered a power-sharing formula to Shiv Sena, claiming for itself the major’s post for a period of four years. According to highly-placed BJP sources, the party has claimed the mayor’s post for four years and the post of standing committee chairman for three years. However, the Sena has not responded yet and is reportedly keen to get the mayor’s post for the full term.
A senior BJP leader said, “The unofficial talks have begun. A message has been sent to the Shiv Sena leadership along with the proposal that the BJP is ready to hold talks.”
However, a BJP spokesperson denied claims that official talks had begun with Shiv Sena on the KDMC issue. “The BJP has not officially given an offer to Shiv Sena to sort out the deadlock. Party president clarified yesterday (Tuesday) that the BJP has its options open and we are firm on it,” he said.
On the other hand, a Shiv Sena leader, on condition of anonymity, claimed that three Congress corporators of the four elected and four independents have supported the Shiv Sena with the party’s tally reaching 59, just three short of a simple majority.
The BJP has already claimed that it enjoys the support of six of the nine independents, who won the elections. However, the Sena leader said the BJP was lying that it had the support of 51 corporators. “They have 41 corporators and the support of only four independent corporators. So their total strength is 45,” he said.
However, the Congress denied Shiv Sena’s claims and said that there was no possibility of it forging ties with saffron Shiv Sena. “Our corporators will not support Shiv Sena in any situation,” said Sanjay Dutt, Congress leader and a member of state legislative council.
The Shiv Sena has alleged that even as the BJP was offering a power-sharing formula it was indulging in horse-trading. As per civic body rules, the elections to the mayor’s post is slated be held on November 11. The election to the mayor’s post is held by secret ballot. Keeping this in mind, most of the political parties have sent their newly-elected corporators to an undisclosed destination.
The November 2 election results declared for 120 seats out of the 122 seats is as follows: BSP 1, BJP 42, Congress 4, NCP 2, Sena 52, MNS 9, MIM 1, independents 9 and vacant 2.
In the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, the power-sharing formula lets Sena hold the mayor’s post for four years, leaving one year for the BJP.
