ULHASNAGAR: The political tussle between alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) over the appointment of nominated corporators in the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) has reached the Bombay High Court, with BJP district president and group leader Rajesh Vadharya challenging the decision to keep the process on hold.The civic administration had scheduled applications from aspirants from September 7, followed by a special general body meeting on September 11 to appoint seven nominated corporators.However, UMC commissioner Manisha Awhale, acting on the directions of mayor Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam, kept the process in abeyance until further orders.Vadharya, in his writ petition, has alleged that the process was stopped improperly on the mayor’s directions. He has sought directions to allow the selection process to proceed as per the earlier schedule at the September 11 general body meeting.“We have applied for the process and four BJP candidates should be considered as per the prescribed procedure,” Vadharya said.The number of posts was reduced from eight to seven after two Shiv Sena corporators were disqualified. Based on the present strength, four posts are expected to go to the BJP and three to the Shiv Sena.The BJP had also submitted names of six aspirants despite the process being kept on hold.The Shiv Sena has justified the decision, citing a legal challenge filed by the two disqualified corporators before the High Court. The mayor has also sought a legal opinion from the state government.The issue had earlier triggered protests by BJP workers and aspirants at the mayor’s Janata Darbar.The petition is scheduled for hearing on Thursday, with the court’s decision likely to determine whether the September 11 selection process can go ahead.
