MLA Dilip Lande's son loses vote for L ward committee post, setback for Shinde camp

The Shinde faction has suffered a major setback in Mumbai. The blow has fallen on its MLA Dilip Lande, whose son lost in the selection of non-official members for the L ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The selection to the L ward committee has brought the Shiv Sena's internal dispute into the open. The BJP, a Mahayuti partner, was also seen opposing the selection.

Two Shiv Sena members, along with BJP corporators, opposed the selection process in the civic body's L ward. In the vote, MLA Dilip "Mama" Lande's son Pranav Lande and two others were defeated. A total of 17 applications were received for nomination of non-official and institutional members to the L ward committee, of which 14 are reported to have had deficiencies.

Mumbai's municipal corporation has 26 wards. The L ward committee had to appoint three nominated members working in the social sector. An advertisement for the posts was issued on May 8, after which the L ward received 17 applications. After the documents were scrutinised, only three, including MLA Dilip Lande's son Pranav Lande, were found eligible.

The proposal to appoint the three was placed for approval at a meeting of the L ward committee. Some committee members opposed it, and a demand was then made to reject the proposal. The committee chairman, Vijendra Shinde of the Sena, then decided to hold a vote.

Of the 13 members, 9 voted against the proposal at the meeting. Only two voted for it, while two abstained. Eleven members took part in the vote, of whom 9 voted against and 2 in favour. The appointment process for the two, including the MLA's son, was therefore halted.

The Shiv Sena's Kiran Landge and Minal Turde opposed the selection process. With two Sena members voting against, differences within the party have come to the fore. The BJP's Harish Bhandirge also took a stand against it, exposing differences within the Mahayuti as well. Pranav Lande and two others were defeated. The selection process in the L ward committee has become a subject of political discussion.