ULHASNAGAR: The political tussle over the appointment of co-opted corporators in the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) intensified on Monday after the civic administration indefinitely put the selection process on hold following directions from Mayor Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam.The BJP, a ruling alliance partner, has opposed the move and demanded that the process be completed.The process for accepting applications was scheduled to begin on September 7, while a special general body meeting was fixed for September 11 to appoint seven co-opted corporators.However, the municipal commissioner Manisha Awhale, acting on the Mayor’s directions, kept both processes in abeyance until further orders.The number of posts has come down from eight to seven after two of the Shiv Sena’s 36 corporators were disqualified. Under the present strength, four posts are expected to go to the BJP and three to the Shiv Sena.Despite the suspension, the BJP has submitted names of six aspirants to the municipal commissioner, maintaining that the selection process should continue.Former BJP district president Pradeep Ramchandani said the Shiv Sena had taken the decision without consulting its alliance partner. “No discussion was held with the BJP before taking this decision,” he said.BJP district president and group leader Rajesh Vadhrya said the party was seeking legal advice. “We are taking legal opinion on what can be done in this matter,” he said.The issue also spilled over into the Mayor’s Janata Darbar at Sindhu Bhavan, where some BJP workers and aspirants raised slogans against Nikam.Reacting to the protest, Mayor Nikam’s husband Kamlesh Nikam said the BJP was part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance and such behaviour was inappropriate.“They should ask their senior leaders whether they want to remain in power with us or not. We will bring the matter to the notice of senior BJP leaders,” he said.The Shiv Sena has justified the suspension citing the legal challenge filed by the two disqualified corporators before the Bombay High Court.Sources said the corporators had also served a legal notice to the Mayor seeking a halt to the appointment process.The Mayor has therefore sought a legal opinion from the state government, and the process will remain suspended until further directions.Sources said the Shiv Sena expects the court to restore the two corporators. If that happens, its share of the co-opted posts could rise from three to four.The seven posts will remain vacant until the legal and political uncertainty is resolved.
