Political equations are appearing to shift ahead of the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra. In Ulhasnagar, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena has forged an alliance with the family of gangster-turned-politician Pappu Kalani. This alliance could escalate potential conflicts between the BJP and the Mahayuti.
Maharashtra Local Body Election: In Ulhasnagar, a city adjacent to Mumbai, notorious gangster Pappu Kalani has allied with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena along with his family. Pappu Kalani is known in the region as a criminal associated with an influential and powerful political family. He has also served as a former MLA of Ulhasnagar.
Under this alliance, Pappu Kalani's son, Omi Kalani, met with Shrikant Shinde and announced his support for the Shiv Sena in the upcoming Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation elections.
Alliance of Shinde's Shiv Sena with the Pappu Kalani Family
The Pappu Kalani family has held political influence in Ulhasnagar for a long time. Pappu Kalani was previously an MLA and is also known in the region as a notorious criminal. Shinde's Shiv Sena has now announced an alliance in the local elections through Omi Kalani. Omi Kalani recently met with Shrikant Shinde and declared that his party will support Shinde's Shiv Sena in the upcoming Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation elections. This move could prove challenging for the Mahayuti, as this alliance directly poses a threat to the BJP.
The MLA from Ulhasnagar is a BJP candidate. In the last assembly elections, the BJP candidate defeated Omi Kalani. This time too, the BJP is preparing for the election with full force in the region. Given the extensive influence of Pappu Kalani and his family in the area, this move by Shinde's Shiv Sena could directly impact the BJP's strategy.
Pappu Kalani's Political Dominance
Pappu Kalani first won from Ulhasnagar in 1990 on a Congress ticket. Subsequently, he secured victories in 1999 and 2004 as an independent and on an RPI ticket, respectively, defeating BJP candidates in those elections.
- 2009: BJP candidate defeated Pappu Kalani.
- 2014: Victory on Sharad Pawar's party ticket.
- 2019: Defeated, BJP candidate victorious.
- 2024: Sharad Pawar's party gave the ticket to Omi Kalani, but he faced defeat.
In the last election, BJP candidate Ailani Kumar Uttamchand received 82,231 votes, while Omi Kalani secured only 51,477 votes. This alliance could increase electoral tension for the Mahayuti. Shinde's Shiv Sena has expanded its influence in several local bodies so far, and this alliance with the Pappu Kalani family could challenge the BJP's position in Ulhasnagar.
