Sena UBT Corporator Deepak Sawant Disqualified in Kanjurmarg over Caste Certificate
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday disqualified Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Deepak Sawant from Ward No. 111 in Kanjurmarg after a state government committee invalidated his caste certificate, citing forgery. The decision, announced in the House by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, reduces the opposition party's strength in the civic body.
The District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee invalidated Sawant’s caste certificate earlier this month. Following the committee's decision, the invalidation was communicated to the BMC, leading to the formal announcement of his disqualification.
Sawant, who represented the eastern suburb of Kanjurmarg, saw his exit reduce the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s strength in the BMC from 65 to 64. When contacted, Sawant declined to comment on the development. However, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator stated that the party plans to challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court.
According to civic sources, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act does not provide for a by-election in such cases. Instead, the candidate who finished immediately behind the disqualified corporator in the last election is declared elected.
Consequently, BJP’s Sarika Pawar, who finished second in Ward No. 111, is likely to be declared elected. Pawar confirmed that the formal appointment process is still pending but she expects to be officially notified soon. Once her appointment is complete, the strength of the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and Shiv Sena, will increase to 116 seats.
In a similar development, the caste scrutiny committee also invalidated the caste certificate of AIMIM corporator Shameer Ramzan Patel, who represents Ward No. 137 in Govandi. However, Patel’s disqualification was stayed after the Bombay High Court granted him interim relief.
