BJP Demands Removal of MNS from KDMC Alliance Over Modi Photo Row
In Kalyan, a fresh political rift has emerged within the ruling alliance of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding the immediate removal of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) from the civic administration. The BJP has warned its alliance partner, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, that it is prepared to sit in the Opposition if the MNS continues to remain part of the governing setup.
The friction was triggered by an incident involving MNS leader Amit Thackeray, who reportedly had a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed during an event at a college in Pune on August 31. The incident drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders and escalated tensions between the two parties.
BJP Kalyan district president Nandkishore ‘Nandu’ Parab formally wrote to Shiv Sena Kalyan district chief Gopal Landge, seeking a clear explanation regarding the party's stand on the controversy and demanding that the MNS be ousted from power in the KDMC.
In his letter, Parab stated that the BJP and Shiv Sena contested the KDMC election together as part of the Mahayuti alliance, while the MNS had contested against them. According to the BJP, the Shiv Sena later brought the MNS into the civic administration without taking the BJP into confidence. While the BJP initially refrained from public opposition, Parab noted that repeated remarks by MNS leaders against BJP figures had created growing resentment.
BJP leaders stated that the removal of the Prime Minister’s photograph cannot be overlooked while the MNS continues to hold a position of power in the municipal corporation.
The demand has been supported by several senior BJP leaders and corporators, including KDMC Deputy Mayor Rahul Damle, House Leader Varun Patil, BJP group leader Shashikant Kamble, and corporators Dipesh Mhatre, Mandar Halbe, Daya Gaikwad, and Vishu Pendnekar, alongside senior leaders Nana Suryawanshi, Ravi Singh Thakur, and district women’s president Rekha Chaudhary.
Responding to the ultimatum, Shiv Sena Kalyan district chief Gopal Landge stated that he was not yet aware of the matter and would clarify the party's position once he received full details.
