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BJP out of KDMC mayor race as post reserved for ST category

The reservation comes amid an ongoing tussle between the BJP and the Shinde Sena for control of the civic body following the declaration of KDMC election results on January 16 and the decision of the MNS to ally with the Shinde Sena.

2 min readMumbaiUpdated: Jan 22, 2026 09:59 PM IST

While the BJP has 50 corporators, it does not have a single member from the ST category, making it ineligible to field a mayoral candidate. (Source: Express Archives)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been pushed out of the race for the mayor’s post in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) after the position was reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category in a lottery draw held on Thursday, effectively clearing the way for the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena to stake its claim.

The ST reservation has decisively altered the power equation in the 122-member civic body. While the BJP has 50 corporators, it does not have a single member from the ST category, making it ineligible to field a mayoral candidate. In contrast, the Shinde-led Sena has two ST corporators, while its ally, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has one.

The reservation comes amid an ongoing tussle between the BJP and the Shinde Sena for control of the civic body following the declaration of KDMC election results on January 16 and the decision of the MNS to ally with the Shinde Sena.

With the mayor’s post now reserved for the ST category, the BJP is formally out of the contest.

“There is no ST-category corporator with the BJP. However, the Shiv Sena and BJP are in alliance, and the Sena also has the support of the MNS. Together, we have three ST-category corporators who can become the mayor of KDMC,” BJP leader Deepesh Mhatre told The Indian Express.

Asked whether a decision had been taken on who would get the post, Mhatre said the matter would be decided by the top leadership of the Mahayuti alliance.

Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Kadam said the numbers were clearly in the alliance’s favour. “We have three ST-category corporators—two from the Shiv Sena and one from the MNS,” he said.

Vallabh Ozarkar

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh ... Read More

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