Mumbai : The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has triggered a political storm within the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra after granting six tickets to members of the influential Mhatre family for the Badlapur Municipal Council local elections. Vaman Mhatre, a powerful figure in local politics, is contesting alongside his wife, son, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew.
Opposing the move to allocate six family-linked nominations in a 49-seat civic body, the BJP accused the Shinde-led party of promoting “blatant nepotism” and suggested it reflected a lack of capable grassroots leadership. The controversy has reignited the broader debate over dynasty politics versus loyalty to long-time party workers. The Mhatre family’s electoral presence in Badlapur dates back nearly a decade. In the 2015 municipal polls, four of its members won council seats.
Discontent within the alliance deepened after the Shinde faction also allotted three tickets to former councillor Pravin Raut, whose wife, Sheetal Raut, and sister-in-law, Vijaya Raut, are also in the fray. Family-centric ticket distribution is not confined to a single camp. In the BJP, Badlapur city president Rajendra Ghorpade is contesting for a council seat, while his wife, Rachita Ghorpade, has been nominated for civic body president.
Dynasty politics is also visible in the opposition Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) camp, where local leaders Prashant Palande and Prachi Palande are contesting from separate panels in the same ward. Waman Mhatre defended the decision and said it would ensure the Sena’s victory in the election. “The party was struggling to find candidates in these wards,” he said. “Local party workers expressed fear that if applications were not filed in time, rival candidates could win unopposed.
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