Mumbai: The six corporators, who had shifted from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to the Shiv Sena, were conspicuously absent in the general body meeting of the corporation on Thursday. Their absence assumes significance amidst speculations that four of them are in talks with the MNS for a return.
Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar came out strongly in their support. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said no party has the right to issue a whip to these six corporators. “Only a group leader can issue a whip as per the BMC Act, and this party does not even have the required strength to have their own group leader.”
The Mayor said these corporators have come on their own to be part of the Shiv Sena due to its developmental agenda, and now the Sena would stand with them.
He was reacting to reports that the MNS had issued an official whip asking their corporators to abstain from participating in any voting in civic meetings. The MNS had warned them of sacking if they failed to obey the whip.
Referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Mahadeshwar said, “Some political parties, who are upset with our increased strength, had deliberately trying to spread rumours in order to create confusion among the new entrants. People are joining our party because of our developmental agenda and no one can stop them.”