After the results of the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal polls and the Kolhapur Municipal polls, the standoff between the BJP and the Shiv Sena has further intensified with both parties claiming that they will stake claim for the mayor’s post in KDMC. While the BJP said all options were open to them, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said his party was going its own way as the BJP was not interested in talking to them.
State BJP president Raosaheb Danve called his party as “baap” (father) as it has reached the number one position everywhere — right from Parliament to the local body polls including municipal corporation and gram panchayat. When asked whether Shiv Sena, which won 52 seats in KDMC has proved that it is the “big brother” in the state alliance, Mr Danve said that one needs to look at the national picture to decide who is the “baap”.
Mr Danve also claimed that BJP’s number in the 120-member KDMC house has reached 51 as the party has support of all nine independent corporators. However, BJP still needs 10 members to reach the magic figure of 61 to prove majority. Shiv Sena won 52 seats and they too need the support of nine members.
Mr Danve maintained that the differences between the Sena and BJP would end now since the civic polls were over. He also said that the BJP would not take the help of the NCP.
However, he refused to divulge the party’s strategy on how it planned to wrest control of the prestigious civic body.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, meanwhile, held a meeting of party legislators at Sena Bhavan to discuss the party’s alliance strategy in KDMC. Later, while speaking with the media Mr Thackeray said, “If BJP wants to have its mayor in the KDMC, it means they are not interested in an alliance with us. In such a situation, we will go our own way.” He said that people have voted Sena as the single largest party and he was very thankful to them for doing so.
Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which won nine seats held its cards close to its chest. MNS leader Nitin Sardesai said, “We have not had any formal talks with any party. Informal talks take place all the time.”
According to a BJP insider, there is no doubt that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will come to power. However, he added that both parties playing hardball was a pressure tactic and the decision of the alliance would be taken after the Bihar poll result scheduled on November 8.
Mr Danve too said that the formula to contest the election separately has succeeded as BJP’s strength has increased five fold in KDMC. “Party workers are happy with this and local party workers’ views will be taken into consideration before forming an alliance with any party,” he said.
