Shiv Sena factions clash over Muslim mayor in Parbhani

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde attacked Sena (UBT) for backing a Muslim mayor in Parbhani. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena are locked in a fresh political confrontation over the Parbhani mayor's post, triggered by criticism of UBT for backing a Muslim candidate.

On Thursday, Iqbal Syed of Shiv Sena (UBT) was elected mayor of the Parbhani Municipal Corporation. Soon after, Shinde attacked UBT, saying its "real face" had been exposed by supporting a Muslim mayor.

Hitting back, Shiv Sena (UBT) accused Shinde of double standards, pointing out that he had appointed Abdul Sattar, a Muslim leader from Marathwada, as a minister in his government. Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, also noted that 12 BJP corporators in Parbhani belong to the Muslim community.

Raut further said the newly elected mayor has been associated with the party for years, adding that "it is better to have a loyal Muslim sainik than a traitor," in a veiled reference to Shinde. The controversy recalls the BJP-Shinde camp's pre-civic poll campaign, which targeted UBT over its ties with the Congress and claimed that it would accept a Muslim mayor in the BMC.