21 January,2026 12:25 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Five MNS corporators offered support to Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) for KDMC mayoral post. Representational pic
Amid the race for the mayoral post in Kalyan-Domibivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) following the recently concluded Maharashtra civic polls, a new political twist emerged on Wednesday.
Five corporators of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have now offered support to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, which is in alliance with the BJP, news agency PTI reported.
Shiv Sena Member of Parliament (MP) Shrikant Shinde made the claim about the MNS offering support to his party. The MNS corporators' decision to support the rival Shiv Sena faction in the KDMC mayoral post could be seen as a setback to Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT).
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS fought the keenly watched January 15 elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) together.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut had earlier claimed that Raj Thackeray was "distraught" over the development in Kalyan-Dombivli, as it was not the official decision of his party. However, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said the new equation appears to be part of an understanding at the local level, news agency ANI reported.
In the 122-member KDMC, the Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party winning 53 seats, while its ally BJP stands second with 50 seats. With the support of five MNS corporators, there are now 108 members in the alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) have won 11, two, and one seats, respectively, in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Elections.
The lottery for the mayoral posts in Mumbai and 28 other civic bodies is scheduled to be held on January 22. The lottery determines the category for which the mayor's post will be reserved, such as general, women, SC, ST, and OBC categories. Once the category is announced, eligible candidates file their nominations.
Talking to the media outside the Divisional Commissioner's office in Navi Mumbai, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said 53 corporators of his party have submitted a letter about the formation of a group in the civic body.
Replying to a question, Eknath Shinde said, "Five corporators of the MNS, who have formed their group, declared their support for the Shiv Sena. But this is only between Shiv Sena and MNS, and not with any other party," as per PTI.
When asked why the Shiv Sena needs the support of any other party when it contested the election with the BJP, he said the mayor will belong to the Mahayuti combine only.
He also added, "Whichever party supports the Shiv Sena is welcome," adding that the MNS has supported the party for stability and development.
The Kalyan MP further added, "In KDMC, the Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS will elect the mayor as a Mahayuti candidate, while in neighbouring Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, the Shiv Sena, BJP, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), Secular Alliance of India (SAI) and independents will elect the mayor," as per PTI.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
