After days of bickering and negotiations, allies Shiv Sena and BJP have not only decided to share power in the Kalyan-Dombivali civic body, they have also mutually agreed upon a formula to share the mayoral post. The parties have decided that they will split the mayoral term into three stints.
BJP state president Raosaheb Danve and Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai made the announcement late on Saturday evening. Mr Danve said “The Sena will have the first 2.5 year-term in the mayor’s office and BJP the next one year. The remaining 1.5 years will be given back to the Sena. We have got a clear mandate from the people and hence we decided to go it together.”
For the post of deputy mayor, the BJP will have the 2.5-year first term, then the Sena will have the next one year and the BJP will be handed back the post for the remaining 1.5 years. BJP’s candidate Rahul Damle who filed his nomination form on Saturday for the mayor’s post will withdraw it. Sena had fielded Rajendra Develekar for the post, who is now going to be the next mayor.
Mr Desai said that the formula was agreed upon to work for the development of the KDMC. “We, the Shiv Sena and BJP combine, have reached 94 seats out of 122. It is a clear majority and we have also reached a consensus on power sharing. We will be working to resolve civic problems of Kalyan-Dombivali and make the cities smart,” Mr Desai said in a joint press conference held by the leaders.
The responsibility of negotiations was entrusted to finance minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar and Sena leader and PWD minister Eknath Shinde to decide on the formula. The leaders held several rounds of meetings in the last four or five days to reach a consensus. In the 122 seats of the KDMC, Sena won 52 seats, while BJP won 42. With Shiv Sena and BJP going it together, the alliance has 94 seats, which is more than the required majority.
