ULHASNAGAR: The political feud between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), both constituents of the ruling Mahayuti, over the appointment of nominated corporators in Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) has now reached the police station, with rival groups filing complaints against each other.The BJP has got an FIR registered against Shiv Sena functionary and Mayor Ashwini Nikam’s husband, Kamlesh Nikam, and 20 others, while a counter-case based on Nikam’s complaint has been registered against six BJP functionaries for allegedly threatening and abusing him.The latest confrontation followed a war of words over BJP state president Ravindra Chavan. After Nikam allegedly made objectionable remarks against Chavan, BJP functionary Avinash (Avi) Punjabi reportedly retaliated with remarks against Nikam.On Monday, Nikam allegedly mobilised supporters outside the municipal office of Punjabi’s mother, Kavita Punjabi, chairperson of UMC’s water supply department. According to the complaint, the group created a ruckus outside the office and allegedly threatened and abused Punjabi. A case was subsequently registered against Nikam and his supporters.In the counter-complaint, Nikam alleged that BJP functionaries threatened to kill him and abused him. A case was registered at Ulhasnagar No. 1 police station against Manish Hingorani, Kapil Adsul, Avinash Punjabi, Gaurav Bhalerao, Rakesh Pathak and Pradeep Ramchandani.The confrontation stems from the dispute over seven nominated corporators. The BJP has challenged the mayor’s decision in the High Court. The rift widened after local BJP leaders said they would not work for Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde in future elections and accused the Kalani family of creating differences between the allies.Nikam, considered close to the Kalani family, subsequently targeted Chavan and demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remove him.Amid the escalating row, senior BJP and Shiv Sena leaders have intervened and reportedly instructed local leaders to refrain from making statements against each other. The latest police cases, however, indicate that the alliance’s local-level tensions remain unresolved.
