Ulhasnagar: The controversy over the appointment of nominated corporators in Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) returned to Bombay high court on Monday, with the court staying the notification to be issued by the civic administration following the appointment of seven nominated corporators.The order came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by BJP challenging the decision taken by UMC mayor Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam in the nominated corporator appointment process. The issue has been at the centre of a prolonged legal and political dispute between BJP and Shiv Sena. The matter first reached high court in Sept after Nikam directed that the process be kept in abeyance. BJP district president and group leader Rajesh Vadhrya challenged the decision. On Sept 11, HC quashed the mayor’s decision and the consequential communication issued by municipal commissioner Manisha Awhale, directing the civic body to complete the process within the stipulated deadline.The matter subsequently reached the Supreme Court, which directed UMC to complete the appointment process by Oct 1. UMC then held a special general body meeting and appointed seven nominated corporators. However, another dispute erupted after Nikam announced five nominees from Shiv Sena and two from BJP. BJP subsequently approached HC challenging the mayor’s decision.
