MNS–Shiv Sena (UBT) Seal Seat-Sharing Deal for Kalyan–Dombivli Civic Polls, Campaign Gears Up

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) have reached a clear understanding on seat distribution for the upcoming Kalyan–Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections, giving shape to the opposition’s strategy in this crucial civic contest.

According to the final arrangement, Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest 68 of the 122 KDMC seats, while the MNS will field candidates in the remaining 54 wards. With the agreement in place, both parties have moved swiftly into election mode. MNS leaders confirmed that AB forms will start being issued to candidates from Monday, followed by nomination filings over the next two days.

MNS leader Raju Patil strongly criticised the ruling BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, claiming their alliance lacks unity at the ground level. He alleged that many workers who quit the MNS after paying money in hopes of getting tickets from the BJP or the Shinde-led Sena have now been sidelined. “Those who betrayed the party for personal gain will not be taken back,” Patil said, making it clear that the MNS will not reopen its doors for such leaders.

Patil also pointed out that the long gap in municipal elections has increased competition for tickets across all parties. While some disappointment among grassroots workers is natural, he claimed that frustration is much higher within the BJP–Shinde Sena camp due to a large number of aspirants being denied nominations.

As part of the wider opposition coordination, the remaining seats will be contested by Shiv Sena (UBT) along with its allies, including the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). The alliance is also planning a series of large public rallies across Kalyan and Dombivli. Sources said efforts are underway to organise a joint rally featuring Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, which could become a major political moment in the civic campaign.