Kalyan‑Dombivali Polls: Sena‑UBT Alleges Missing Corporators

January 24, 2026

In the aftermath of the January 15 Kalyan‑Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections, the Uddhav Thackeray‑led Shiv Sena (UBT) has raised serious allegations that some of its newly elected corporators are missing or unreachable, prompting fears of pressure tactics or wrongdoing. The party approached the police after repeated attempts to contact two corporators — Madhur Umesh Mhatre and Kirti Rajan Dhone — failed, leading to concerns for their safety and democratic process integrity.

Sharad Shivraj Patil, UBT’s Kalyan district chief, filed a complaint with the Kolsewadi police station, urging a missing person case and a thorough inquiry. “Their phones are switched off,” Patil said, warning that the situation raises questions about democratic values, law and order and public trust.

Election Results and Political Context

In the KDMC elections for the 122‑seat civic body, the Eknath Shinde‑led Shiv Sena faction won 52 seats, closely followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 51 seats. The Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 11 seats, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) won five seats. Neither the Sena‑BJP alliance nor individual parties secured a clear majority of 62 seats.

With the civic polls concluded, attention quickly shifted to forming governing alliances and deciding the mayoral post, triggering political manoeuvring and tension among rival camps.

Shinde Forges Alliance With MNS

In a significant post‑poll twist, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, has extended support to the Shinde‑led Shiv Sena, bringing its five corporators into the fold. This alliance boosts Shinde Sena’s numbers to around 58 corporators, putting it close to the majority mark and strengthening its bargaining position in the civic body.

The MNS’s shift is seen as a strategic move that could reduce the BJP’s influence in deciding leadership roles in the KDMC, even though the Sena and BJP contested together before the polls. Leaders from both Shinde Sena and MNS stressed their intent to focus on civic development and working together, even as the alliance continues its ties with the BJP for broader political cooperation.

Allegations Heighten Political Tensions

The UBT’s missing person complaint adds to growing political friction. Some local leaders and analysts suggest that the absence of key corporators may be linked to the ongoing tussle for power, with rival factions vying to secure a majority and influence the appointment of the mayor and committee heads.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders maintain that the disappearance of the corporators is not only a matter of personal safety but also a threat to democratic principles and public confidence. Police have launched preliminary inquiries to locate the missing corporators and determine whether any foul play was involved.

What This Means for KDMC Governance

With post‑poll defections, missing corporators and alliance realignments, the political landscape in the Kalyan‑Dombivali Municipal Corporation remains fluid. The political strategies adopted now will determine who controls the civic body’s administration and key decision‑making positions, including the mayor and committee chairpersons.