Dadar Corporator Vishakha Raut's Seat in Dispute After OBC Certificate Rejection

The Dadar corporator seat has emerged as a fresh flashpoint between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Shinde faction after the Palghar Caste Scrutiny Committee rejected Shiv Sena (UBT) senior corporator Vishakha Raut’s Other Backward Class (OBC) certificate.

Raut represents the Dadar–Shivaji Park belt, where she retained the OBC-reserved Ward 191 in a closely fought contest. She secured 13,236 votes to defeat Priya Sarvankar, daughter of former Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLA Sada Sarvankar, by a margin of 197 votes in a two-candidate race. Her election has come under scrutiny following the panel's decision to cancel her certificate after a complaint challenged its validity.

On Monday, a Shiv Sena (UBT) delegation met Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide to demand that no punitive action be taken against Raut while the legal appeal process remains underway. The delegation argued that under current rules, Raut has three months to challenge the scrutiny panel’s decision before the Konkan Divisional Commissioner, who has up to six months to decide the appeal, meaning she should not be disqualified at this stage.

Raut stated that while corporator posts were previously cancelled immediately following such rulings, updated regulations allow time for an appeal. She noted that representations have been made to the Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner requesting that her post not be declared vacant nor should she face disqualification until her appeal is formally decided.

Meanwhile, the Shinde faction has pressed the civic administration to initiate proceedings under the provisions of the BMC Act. Amey Ghole, the Shiv Sena (Shinde) group leader in the BMC, said that the committee's order favoured Priya Sarvankar and confirmed that submissions had been made to the Municipal Commissioner and relevant authorities to pursue the matter through legal channels.