Clash Erupts Between Rival Shiv Sena Factions in Thane Ward Amid Civic Polls

Tensions boiled over in Thane’s ongoing municipal elections when supporters of two rival candidates clashed violently in Manpada’s ward number 3 on Thursday evening, January 15, 2026, forcing police to step in and restore order, authorities reported on Friday, January 16, 2026.

The confrontation pitted backers of former mayor Meenakshi Shinde, the official candidate fielded by Shiv Sena, against those of independent contender Bhushan Bhoir, a rebel from the same party. The incident unfolded amid heightened election-day activity in the area.

According to Meenakshi Shinde, Bhoir’s supporters included armed individuals brought in to provoke unrest and disrupt the polling process. In contrast, Bhoir’s camp leveled counter-allegations, claiming that members of Shinde’s group had assaulted their candidate by throwing chilli powder into his eyes.

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The dispute quickly intensified beyond verbal exchanges. Protesters blocked a bus transporting ballot boxes, sparking attempts to damage vehicles in the vicinity. Police swiftly intervened to disperse the crowd, secure the ballot materials, and prevent further escalation. Authorities confirmed that the situation was brought under control, with ballot boxes safely delivered to the designated strongroom. A substantial police deployment remains in place in the Manpada area ahead of vote counting.

No formal complaints or FIRs had been registered in connection with the clash as of Friday morning, police sources indicated. The episode highlights the intense intra-party rivalry playing out in Thane, where local elections have drawn significant attention amid broader Maharashtra civic polls.