Email
Print
ShareMumbai: The relationship between the Thackerays and gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli could soon unravel at the seams, with Gawli's Akhil Bhartiya Sena (ABS), a Shiv Sena ally in the BMC, set to deliver a near-fatal blow.
Two ABS corporators, Gawli's daughter Geeta and sister-in-law Vandana, may boycott the forthcoming mayoral election, despite the ABS being part of the ruling Sena alliance in the municipal corporation. Mayor Shubha Raul's term expires on November 30 and the next mayoral election is likely to be held in December first week.
Blaming the other party for, Vandana said the Sena had not kept its promise and had neglected development works in the municipal wards represented by the Gawlis. "When they staked a claim to the corporation, we extended support to them. In return, they promised to prioritise development works in our areas. These, however, have been neglected," Geeta claimed.
She also said her party was considering staying away from the mayoral election. An insider said that had there been a secret ballot, the ABS corporators might have voted for the Congress candidate.
On Wednesday, Vandana created a scene at the Sena party office, even threatening to boycott a meeting of the standing committee, of which she is a member, sources said. An official from the BMC municipal secretariat said the two corporators risked
disqualification if they voted against their alliance nominee. However, staying away from the election on flimsy grounds could be an option.
Political observers say Gawli's party does not want to be allied to a sinking boat. "The civic elections will be held two years hence. Gawli probably wants to align himself with the Congress, which finds itself in a more favourable position presently," commented one.
Gawli, known to be close to the Thackeray clan, got on their wrong side when his party backed Congress candidate Milind Deora during this year's general elections. In October, Gawli lost the assembly election from Byculla.
