Chandrapur: Days after enabling the BJP to capture power in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, a group of seven Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators met party chief Uddhav Thackeray at ‘Matoshree’ in Mumbai on Tuesday. They defended their controversial decision, describing it as a necessary step to “teach local Congress leaders a lesson” for allegedly sidelining them in local power-sharing talks.The delegation, led by district chief Sandeep Girhe, explained the circumstances that led them to support the BJP in the mayoral election despite Shiv Sena (UBT) being an ally of the Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) at the state level.
In Chandrapur, the Congress had emerged as the single largest party but fell short of a majority and required Sena (UBT)’s support to form the ruling dispensation. According to Girhe, the Sena faction sought a share in the mayoral post under a rotational arrangement. He alleged that senior Congress leaders, including MP Pratibha Dhanorkar, did not give due consideration to their demand.Girhe, while talking to TOI claimed Congress negotiators maintained that the party would win the mayor’s election with or without Sena (UBT)’s backing, leaving the corporators feeling “insulted and ignored”. Though senior leader Vijay Wadettiwar was said to be open to discussions, no formal assurance was offered by MP Pratibha Dhanorkar.With negotiations failing even on the morning of the election, the Sena (UBT) group entered into a last-minute understanding with the BJP. Sudhir Mungantiwar, BJP MLA, through his party district president signed a written agreement promising the Sena (UBT) the mayor’s post for 15 months in the second half of the term. Sena (UBT) also got the post of deputy Mayor in CMC under the agreement.Girhe said Thackeray did not endorse the decision but advised the corporators to remain committed to public service and party principles. Thackeray also cautioned the corporators to safeguard the party’s identity and organisational strength at all times.Sandeep Girhe told TOI that Thackeray’s message was clear: participate in governance for the welfare of citizens, but do not dilute the party’s principles or allow its independent voice to weaken.
