Ulhasnagar’s election for seven co-opted corporator posts has been postponed by three days following an order of the Supreme Court, extending a process that has already been pending for eight months. The special general body meeting scheduled for 24 September will now be held on 28 September, according to a report by Loksatta.
The election was expected to take place within a month of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation elections held in January. However, the selection of co-opted members was delayed for various reasons. The process was announced again at the beginning of September, but Mayor Ashwini Nikam of the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde subsequently stayed the election indefinitely.
The latest postponement follows a series of legal developments over the municipal selection process. The Bharatiya Janata Party approached the Bombay High Court after the indefinite stay. The High Court ruled in the party’s favour, held the administrative stay to be illegal and directed that the election be conducted before 25 September. Following that order, the municipal administration scheduled a special general body meeting for 5 pm on 24 September.
The Supreme Court’s order has now pushed the meeting and the election back by three days. The mayor had sought a seven-day postponement, but the election is currently scheduled for 28 September. The report does not provide details of the Supreme Court proceedings or specify the terms of the order beyond the revised schedule.
The seven co-opted posts are divided between the ruling alliance in the corporation. The BJP is expected to receive four positions, while three are allocated to the Shiv Sena. The corporation is currently governed by an alliance between the two parties.
A total of 42 aspirants submitted nomination applications for the seven posts. The BJP has finalised Dhananjay Bodare, Rajendra ‘Bala’ Shrikande, Kapil Adsul and Pradeep Ramchandani for its four positions. Their selection was considered nearly certain after they filed their applications, according to the report.
The contest for the three Shiv Sena positions has remained less settled. Several people were allowed to submit applications, including former mayor Pancham Omi Kalani, Manoj Lasi and BJP rebel leader Hema Pinjani. Around 21 aspirants applied for the three positions associated with the Shiv Sena, adding to uncertainty over the final selection.
The dispute has therefore involved more than a scheduling issue. The delay has kept the composition of the municipal body incomplete despite the January elections and has prolonged uncertainty for the applicants seeking representation through the co-opted member process. The competing legal and political steps have also placed the administration’s ability to conduct the selection under scrutiny.
The next scheduled milestone is the special general body meeting and election on 28 September. The process will determine the seven co-opted corporators, subject to any further direction from the courts or the municipal authorities.
