The political equation in Kalyan-Dombivli has shifted sharply after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) decided to extend support to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), dealing a clear setback to Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT).
This development is significant because the Thackeray brothers—Uddhav and Raj—had contested the KDMC elections together, raising expectations of post-poll coordination. However, soon after the results were announced, the MNS signaled a different direction by aligning with the ruling Mahayuti camp at the local level.
According to sources within the MNS, party chief Raj Thackeray gave flexibility to district and city leaders to take decisions based on local political conditions. The party said the move to support the Shinde-led Shiv Sena was taken keeping “development priorities of Kalyan-Dombivli” in mind rather than alliance compulsions.
The KDMC election results reflected a closely fought contest. The Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emerged as the single largest party with 53 seats in the 122-member civic body, narrowly ahead of its ally BJP, which secured 50 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) managed to win 11 seats, while the MNS got 5. Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction won 2 and 1 seats respectively.
With the backing of MNS corporators, the Shinde faction’s effective strength rises to 58, giving the Mahayuti alliance a clear advantage in controlling the municipal corporation. This support strengthens the ruling camp’s position ahead of key leadership decisions in the civic body.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has begun formal procedures for mayoral elections across the state. The Urban Development Department has announced that the reservation lottery for mayoral posts in Kalyan-Dombivli and 28 other municipal corporations will be held on January 22 at the state secretariat.
In Maharashtra, the mayor is elected by corporators, and the post is reserved on a rotational basis for categories such as General, Women, SC, ST, and OBC. Once the reservation category is declared, eligible candidates file nominations, and the mayor is elected in a special general meeting of the corporation.
