Allies turned foes? Bombay HC steps into BJP vs Shiv Sena in Ulhasnagar

In a recent development that highlights the strained relationship between the ruling Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ulhasnagar, the Bombay High Court has intervened in a dispute over municipal corporation nominations. The court's recent decision has halted further steps taken by Mayor Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam, a Sena corporator, to recommend only two of four BJP candidates for co-opted or nominated corporator positions within the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC).

The BJP nominees, S B Singh and Pradeep Ramchandani, had challenged the proposed nominations, which recommended only two BJP candidates while including five candidates from the Ulhasnagar Shahar Vikas Aghadi (USVA) alliance, dominated by the Shiv Sena. The USVA alliance comprises senior BJP corporators who have recently crossed over to the Shiv Sena.

The Bombay High Court bench, comprising Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Neela K Gokhale, noted that there seems to be merit in the arguments presented by the petitioners regarding the Mayor's authority and jurisdiction under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (Qualifications and Appointment of Nominated Councillors) Rules, 2012. The court restrained the Municipal Secretary from taking any steps to notify the nominated councillors until the next hearing date.

The dispute between the BJP and Shiv Sena over UMC-nominated corporators has previously reached both the High Court and the Supreme Court. In response to the petitioners' arguments, the court issued notices to the respondents, directing them to file reply affidavits by October 12.