Cash-for-votes row erupts between Shiv Sena and BJP in Kalyan

Shiv Sena candidates have accused workers of their Mahayuti ally the BJP of distributing cash to voters ahead of the January 15 Kalyan Dombivli civic polls a charge denied by the saffron party reported news agency PTISena candidate Nitin Patil and independent nominee Ravi Patil on Sunday alleged that BJP workers supporting candidate Arya Natekar distributed money along with campaign leaflets at a building in Tukaramnagar under the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation KDMC limits in Maharashtras Thane district reported PTIA heated confrontation broke out between workers of the two ruling allies prompting police interventionIn ward no 29 of KDMC the Shiv Sena and BJP which are allies in the Mahayuti government are fighting the elections against each other In other wards there is an alliance between the two parties reported PTIBJP Kalyan district president Nandu Parab termed the allegations false and baseless He claimed that Shiv Sena workers had forcibly stuffed money into the hands of BJP activists to frame them and create a controversy reported PTIShiv Sena subdistrict chief Rajesh Kadam however said The incident is unfortunate We believe alliance partners should follow ethical principles during the campaign reported PTIFollowing the clash the Ramnagar police took several individuals to the local police station for questioning and later let them off The police also seized the materials for investigation reported PTIElection flying squads were also briefed and officials were reviewing video footage of the incident to determine if any poll rules were violatedMira Bhayander will turn saffron after civic polls Eknath ShindeMeanwhile Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that after Mumbai and Thane the states Mira Bhayander city is all set to be painted saffron in the upcoming municipal elections reported PTIThe Shiv Sena then undivided had won the Brihanmumbai and Thane municipal corporation polls in 2017Addressing a public meeting following a roadshow on Sunday Shinde emphasised the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackerays affection for the city calling Mira Bhayander a mini India where Shiv Senas strength lies in taking along all communities including North Indian Gujarati and South Indian reported PTIPolls to 29 municipal corporations in the state inclusing Mumbai Thane and Mira Bhayander are scheduled on January 15The Shiv Sena and BJP which are allies in the state Mahayuti government are fighting against each other in the 95member Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation MBMC located in Thane districtBalasaheb loved Mira Bhayander Mumbai is saffron Thane is saffron and now Mira Bhayander will also be saffron Shinde saidHe said the overwhelming turnout was not just a campaign gathering but a harbinger of victory He appealed to the electorate to vote for the Shiv Senas bow and arrow symbol on January 15Seeing such a large crowd the Opposition must have felt a lump in their stomachs The sand beneath their feet has shifted Shinde remarkedThe Shiv Sena has fielded 81 candidates in the MBMC Expressing confidence in his partys victory Shinde said 81 is our lucky number nine Making the impossible possible is the identity of Shiv SenaHighlighting the developmental work carried out by the Mahayuti government he noted that Rs 1871 crore was provided to the Mira Bhayander city over the last three yearsShinde also praised the leadership of the state minister and Shiv Senas Thane MLA Pratap Sarnaik under whose jurisdiction Mira Bhayander fallsWith inputs from PTI