ULHASNAGAR: The Centre’s approval of a Rs 211-crore water supply project under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme has sparked a public war of words between BJP MLA Kumar Ailani and Shiv Sena Mayor Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam, exposing fault lines within the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Ulhasnagar.The controversy began after Ailani taking press conference claimed that the project was sanctioned following his sustained correspondence and repeated follow-up with the state and central governments to secure an independent water source for the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC).Accusing the mayor of taking undue credit, Ailani questioned what development work she had undertaken during her five months in office. He also claimed credit for several infrastructure projects, including Metro Line 5 and the cement concretisation of the Kalyan-Ambernath Road.The Shiv Sena hit back through Kamlesh Nikam, husband of Mayor Ashwini Nikam, who accused the BJP legislator of taking credit for projects made possible through the efforts of others.Questioning Ailani’s nearly 15-year tenure as MLA, Nikam alleged that despite representing the city for over a decade, he had failed to secure a major project such as the city’s independent ‘Own Source’ water supply scheme. He challenged the MLA to explain what significant development projects he had brought to Ulhasnagar during his tenure.“It is unfortunate that the city has such an MLA. He only writes letters and later claims credit for works executed by others,” Nikam alleged.Highlighting the mayor’s work, Nikam said that under Ashwini Nikam’s leadership, the civic body had initiated development projects, including tenders worth nearly Rs 83 crore for internal roads, garden development, digital schools, Annabhau Sathe School, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhavan, Maratha Bhavan and Mahila Bhavan. He alleged that Ulhasnagar’s present condition was the result of the city’s leadership over the past 15 years and claimed that several more major development projects would be announced in the coming months.Nikam further claimed that, at the mayor’s request, Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde facilitated the first visit of the state’s Health Minister to Ulhasnagar, during which the minister assured the construction of a 500-bed hospital to replace the ageing Central Hospital.He maintained that the AMRUT 2.0 water supply project was sanctioned because of Dr Shinde’s persistent efforts. Nikam also alleged that while the mayor had invited the BJP deputy mayor and the BJP group leader to a felicitation programme organised for the MP, Ailani “turned up uninvited only to claim credit.”Although the BJP and Shiv Sena jointly control the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation under the Mahayuti banner, the public exchange has brought their internal differences into the open, signalling growing friction within the ruling alliance.
