Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Feb 10 (NationPress) In a significant political shift, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday obtained the Mayor's position in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation of Maharashtra, thanks to the support of six corporators from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), who went against the official stance of their party.

The election of Sangeeta Khandekar as Mayor represents a blow to the Congress, which had been the largest party in the latest civic elections but lost the top position by a narrow margin of just one vote.

Sources from Shiv Sena (UBT) indicated that the local unit opted to back the BJP due to frustrations with internal conflicts within the Congress.

The mayoral election was closely contested, with BJP’s nominee Sangeeta Khandekar receiving 32 votes, while the Congress candidate garnered 31. Two members from the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) were absent, and the sole All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator chose to abstain.

The effective majority threshold was lowered due to the AIMIM's abstention and VBA's absence, allowing the BJP to clinch victory.

This win was achieved despite six Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators defying explicit instructions from party leadership to oppose the BJP.

Moments before the voting commenced, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut held a press conference in Mumbai, asserting that party leader Uddhav Thackeray had directed members to remain in opposition and not support the BJP.

“We will not support the BJP under any circumstances. Even if we have to remain in the Opposition, we will do so, but we will not assist the BJP in gaining power,” Raut stated.

Despite this, local leaders in Chandrapur proceeded to endorse the BJP. Sandeep Girhe, the district chief of the Thackeray faction, justified the decision, citing a lack of collaboration from the Congress.

In statements to the media, Girhe explained that this choice to support the BJP was made with development in mind and as a response to what he termed a slight from senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who had allegedly refused to share the Mayor's position during the five-year term.

According to the reported agreement, the BJP will hold the Mayor's position for the initial 15 months, after which Shiv Sena (UBT) will take over. The Shiv Sena (UBT) will also hold the Deputy Mayor's position throughout the five-year term and will preside over the Standing Committee during the first and fourth years.

This political maneuvering has created tension within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. Sources indicate that the leadership of Shiv Sena (UBT) is contemplating disciplinary measures against Sandeep Girhe and the six corporators for actions deemed anti-party and for failing to inform leadership about negotiations at the local level.

The current composition of the 66-member Chandrapur Municipal Corporation stands at Congress 27, BJP 23, Shiv Sena (UBT) 6, Jan Vikas Sena 3, VBA 2, AIMIM 1, Independents 2, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) 1, and BSP 1.