Raj Thackeray no longer kingmaker, opts out of KDMC race

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray sprung a surprise on Monday by declaring that his party will not contest the mayor’s post in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), and will sit in the opposition.

The MNS, with 28 seats in the 107-member house, had emerged as the second largest party after the Shiv Sena (31) in the recently concluded polls, and was widely tipped to cast the deciding vote on who forms the governing body.

“We have decided not to contest the KDMC mayor’s post. My corporators will sit in the opposition, respecting the voters’ mandate,” said Raj in Dombivli on Monday.

Thackeray said the MNS will not vote for any party’s candidate in the mayor’s election. “Let any party field its candidate, but my corporators will abstain from voting,” said Thackeray. He added that no party is competent enough to gain MNS’ support.

When asked whether he will keep the promise made to KDMC voters — to personally overlook developmental work — he said, “I will be stationed at the KDMC for 2-3 days every fortnight to keep my promise.”

With the MNS out of the race, the path is clear for the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine to form the civic body government.

Sena’s four-time winner Vaijayanti Gujar-Gholap has filed a nomination for the mayor’s post and the deputy-mayor’s post will be given to a BJP candidate.