ULHASNAGAR: Political tensions within the Mahayuti alliance in Ulhasnagar have escalated after Shiv Sena leader Kamlesh Nikam claimed that the party has 40 corporators and a majority in the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, despite strong opposition from the BJP over his repeated remarks against BJP MLA Kumar Ailani.“If the BJP does not want to support us, its local leaders should speak to their senior leadership. We have 40 corporators with us and have the majority,” Nikam said. He added that the Kalani family was working day and night to strengthen Shiv Sena in the city.The BJP held a press conference on Thursday and demanded an apology from Nikam over his remarks against Ailani. BJP city president Rajesh Vadhrya said the party would not cooperate with Nikam in the civic body until he apologised to Ailani. BJP leaders also took an oath at the press conference that they would not support Nikam.Nikam, however, clarified that he was not opposed to the BJP’s local leaders but was specifically against statements made by Ailani. He accused the MLA of taking credit for development works that he had not carried out, particularly projects associated with Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Dr Shrikant Shinde.Ailani, meanwhile, accused Nikam of deliberately trying to create differences between the BJP and Shiv Sena. He said projects sought through his letters, including Metro and own-source water projects, had received approval from the concerned departments.The dispute has a deeper political context. Nikam, considered a staunch supporter of the Kalani family, joined Shiv Sena along with the Kalanis ahead of the Ulhasnagar civic elections. He is now also considered close to senior Shiv Sena leaders. The BJP, particularly Ailani, has historically been politically opposed to the Kalani family.Political observers believe Nikam, through his wife and Mayor Ashwini Nikam, is helping strengthen Shiv Sena and the Kalani camp in the city. This has brought him into increasing conflict with Ailani.Nikam’s assertion that Shiv Sena has sufficient numbers has now put the BJP’s local leadership, which has rallied behind Ailani, in a difficult position. Whether BJP corporators will continue supporting the Sena in civic administration or take a different stand remains to be seen.The growing dispute between the two alliance partners could have a direct impact on the functioning of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, with the balance of power between the BJP and Shiv Sena now under close watch.
