Kalyan's Political Storm: Shiv Sena (UBT) Files Police Complaint Over 'Missing' Corporators

Well, here we go again with another twist in Maharashtra's ever-unfolding political saga. This time, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has officially thrown a wrench into the works, lodging a rather serious police complaint in Kalyan. The heart of the matter? Three of their former corporators are, shall we say, 'missing in action,' and the UBT camp firmly believes they're being held against their will.

The complaint, filed at the Mahatma Phule police station in Kalyan on Tuesday, specifically names Mandakini Mhatre, Mahesh Gaikwad, and Rekha Gaikwad. Now, these aren't just any corporators; they're individuals who were once firmly with Uddhav Thackeray but have reportedly, and quite controversially, shifted their loyalties over to the Eknath Shinde-led faction. The UBT isn't mincing words here, alleging nothing short of kidnapping or, at the very least, illegal confinement.

You see, it wasn't just a random filing. Corporator Rahul Damble, accompanied by senior party leader Arvind Sawant, personally ensured the complaint was registered. Damble voiced the faction's deep concern, explicitly stating their belief that these corporators are being held captive. He emphasized that this isn't just a political squabble but a serious matter concerning the freedom and safety of elected representatives.

One can't help but connect these dots to the upcoming civic elections, can they? The UBT camp views this whole situation as a clear, desperate attempt by the rival Shinde faction to poach leaders and weaken their base ahead of the polls. It's a classic political move, really, trying to tip the scales in your favor, but alleging 'kidnapping' takes it to a whole new level of drama. It really makes you wonder what tactics are fair game in the current political climate.

Of course, the Shinde camp wasn't going to let these accusations hang in the air unchallenged. They've promptly dismissed the entire complaint as utterly baseless, labeling it a mere 'stunt' by the UBT faction. Their argument? It's just a desperate ploy to garner sympathy from the public, especially with elections on the horizon. A spokesperson for the Shinde camp vehemently denied any involvement, asserting that their leaders join willingly, not under duress.

So, where do the police stand in all this? A senior official from the Mahatma Phule police station confirmed receiving the complaint. They've stated, quite rightly, that an investigation will be launched immediately. The first order of business, as expected, will be to contact the three corporators in question and ascertain their whereabouts and, crucially, their state of mind. One hopes this gets resolved quickly and transparently.

Ultimately, this whole episode shines a rather harsh light on the intense political rivalry simmering in Maharashtra. It’s more than just party hopping; it’s about allegations of fundamental freedoms being compromised. As the investigation unfolds, the truth behind these 'missing' corporators will hopefully come to light, and perhaps, just perhaps, bring a moment of clarity to the murky waters of local politics.