Sena, BJP call truce to rule civic body

After an intense war-of-words and one-upmanship, the Shiv Sena and BJP seem to have called a truce as the alliance partners have started talks to come together to rule the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC ), a key civic body.

The run-up to the elections saw mud-slinging between top leaders of both the parties – including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Both the parties had contested separately.

Sources said Industries Minister Subhash Desai, who is close to the Thackeray family, had spoken to state BJP president Raosaheb Patil Danve and Finance and Planning Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar of the BJP is expected to hold talks with Eknath Shinde, Guardian Minister of Thane district.

With all parties fighting elections separately to capture the 122-member corporation, located 50 km away from downtown Mumbai, in Thane district, the Shiv Sena secured 52 seats, 10 short of a simple majority of 62. The BJP came second with 42 seats. The Raj Thackeray-led MNS has got nine seats, Congress 4, NCP 2, MIM 1 while Independents/Others grabbed 10. In two seats, the polling was boycotted.