The end of 25-year-old alliance between the BJP and Shiv Sena and exit polls predicting big numbers for the former may see the parties splitting in the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation after the assembly polls results are declared on Sunday.
The two outfits have been at loggerheads ever since BJP decided to contest on its own before the elections. Repercussions of the showdown between the parties may enter the civic body in case the BJP gets the mandate, said sources.
The not-so-rosy picture between the long-time partner came to the fore on Thursday when BJP members of the standing committee vehemently opposed a proposal seeking extension to the corporation’s ‘Abhay Yojana’ – a scheme aimed at encouraging water defaulters to pay up. On the other hand, Sena members wanted to approve the proposal. Surprisingly, it was the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) which took more aggressive stand against BJP’s move.
“The municipal administration had sought extension to the proposal. We wanted to know top 10 defaulters. The corporation takes action against commoners if they fail to pay bills on time, but doesn’t act against government or big private players when it comes to recovering dues. So, we told we would oppose the proposal till we receive information on big defaulters,” said Manoj Kotak, BJP’s group leader in the BMC.
Sandeep Deshpande, MNS’ group leader, though objected to Kotak’s stand. “You (BJP) only had approved the yojana. Were you sleeping then over these issues? What is the point in opposing it now?”
The proposal, however, was approved after committee chairman Yashodhar Phanase persuaded Kotak to withdraw his stand and assured the details would be made available in few days.
According to sources in the BJP, the party may ask its chiefs of committees in the corporation to put in their papers. A decision in this regard, however, is dependent on the outcome of the election results.
Kotak said the BJP unit in the civic body has not received any instruction from the party leadership in this regard.
“There were 24 other proposals which we approved. So, disapproving a single proposal does not mean we are sending out any signal. We are taking stands which are in the public interest. That’s it,” Kotak said.
Deshpande, however, did not comment over the issue.
The BMC number game
Ruling parties
Shiv Sena – 75, BJP – 31, Independent – 10, Akhil Bhartiya Sena – 2, RPI – 1, Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh – 1
Opposition
Congress – 52, MNS – 27, NCP – 13, Samajwadi Party – 9, Peasants and Workers’ Party – 1, Independent - 4
Possible equation in case the existing ruling combine splits
Sena may join hands with MNS, filling in for the BJP. The NCP, which is predicted to suffer a setback in the elections, may also support Sena, sources claimed, to attain the requisite tally of 120/plus number in the House of 227 corporators.
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