Shiv Sena, BJP trade barbs over Ulhasnagar nominated corporators row as it spreads to Kalyan-Dombivli

A political dispute between the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP over the selection of nominated corporators in Ulhasnagar has now reached Kalyan-Dombivli. Shiv Sena functionary Kamlesh Nikam had made a controversial statement about BJP state president Ravindra Chavan. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) district chief Gopal Landge has backed it, after which the war of words between the two parties has intensified and BJP leaders have replied to Landge.

During the dispute over the selection of nominated corporators in Ulhasnagar, Nikam had made a statement about Chavan. Backing it, Landge claimed that what Nikam said was true. Landge also said Nikam had evidence for his statement. As a result, the Ulhasnagar dispute has become a talking point in Kalyan-Dombivli as well.

Commenting on the BJP, Landge also cited the work of MP Dr Shrikant Shinde. Landge claimed that work that BJP ministers and MLAs could not do was done by Dr Shrikant Shinde. He also alleged that in the selection process for nominated corporators in Ulhasnagar, BJP candidates were found ineligible and the BJP could not even field eligible candidates, but the blame for this failure was being laid on the Shiv Sena.

Following Landge's statement, BJP leaders in Kalyan-Dombivli reacted sharply. KDMC House leader Varun Patil criticised Shiv Sena functionaries. He said, "Shiv Sena functionaries are not fit to speak about our leaders." BJP leaders have expressed anger over the statements being made about the BJP state president.

Shashikant Kamble, BJP group leader in the KDMC, also expressed displeasure at Landge's role. According to Kamble, Gopal Landge is the Shiv Sena district chief and was not expected to get into such a petty dispute. Kamble said, "We did not expect Gopal Landge to speak on such trivial matters." He also said the whole world knows the political stature of Ravindra Chavan.

Thus, the local dispute that began with the selection of nominated corporators in Ulhasnagar has now reached the leaders of both parties in Kalyan-Dombivli. On one side, Gopal Landge has backed Kamlesh Nikam's statement; on the other, the BJP's Varun Patil and Shashikant Kamble have replied to Landge. The war of words has brought the differences between the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP back into the open at the local level.

Amid these political developments in Ulhasnagar and Kalyan-Dombivli, local functionaries of both parties are trading charges and counter-charges. Political circles are now watching what stand BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde take in the dispute.