Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation’s process to appoint seven co-opted corporators has intensified political competition, with 42 applications submitted for the available posts. Recent reporting indicates four positions are allocated to BJP and three to Shiv Sena based on the current political strength in the civic body. Shiv Sena-linked applicants include several long-serving party figures and alliance-associated names, while Hema Pinjani has attracted attention after previously contesting the civic election on a BJP ticket. The process has also faced court intervention, with the deadline extended to September 28.
Ulhasnagar Shiv Sena Co-opted Corporator Row: Loyalists, Cross-Party Aspirants and September 28 Deadline
The selection of nominated corporators in Ulhasnagar has triggered an internal political debate, with attention focused on Shiv Sena’s proposed names and the claims of local aspirants.
The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation’s nominated corporator process has become a major political issue, with Shiv Sena facing questions over candidate choices and internal representation.
The controversy centres on claims that long-serving party workers and alliance partners were overlooked while individuals associated with other political parties emerged as prominent contenders.
Among the names being discussed are Shiv Sena loyalist Ramesh Mahadev Chavan, Sai Party leader Jeevan Idnani, former NCP corporator Bharat R. Rajwani (Gangotri) and Hema Pinjani-Jha.
Shiv Sena’s contested candidate choices
According to the political narrative surrounding the nominations, Jeevan Idnani and Ramesh Mahadev Chavan were considered strong claimants because of their association with the alliance and Shiv Sena organisation.
Idnani, described as the chief of the Ulhasnagar Sai Party, supported Shiv Sena during the 2026 civic election, while Chavan contested from another ward following the party leadership’s directions.
The account circulating locally says Chavan gave up his traditional ward and subsequently suffered defeat, prompting supporters to argue that his organisational contribution should receive consideration.
However, publicly available reporting confirms that 42 applications were submitted for seven nominated corporator positions, reflecting significant competition within the ruling alliance and particularly among Shiv Sena aspirants.
The names of Bharat R. Rajwani (Gangotri) and Hema Pinjani have attracted particular attention because their recent political backgrounds involve the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) and Bharatiya Janata Party, respectively.
Election records available publicly identify Bharat R. Rajwani, popularly associated with the name Gangotri, as an NCP candidate, while Hema Pinjani contested the 2026 civic election on a BJP ticket.
Loksatta reported that Hema Pinjani had contested the civic election for BJP and subsequently submitted her application through Shiv Sena after reportedly being excluded from BJP’s nominated-member list.
Claims surrounding Hema Pinjani-Jha and Prem Jha
The supplied political allegations also link Hema Pinjani-Jha with Prem Jha, described in the draft as her husband and a contractor associated with the Virat Ambe Sports Club in Ulhasnagar.
These assertions, including references to Prem Jha’s contracting activities and questions concerning possible financial considerations, could not be independently established from the authoritative sources reviewed for this report.
Accordingly, such allegations should be treated as political claims unless supported by documentary evidence, official records, statements from the individuals concerned, or findings by competent authorities.
Neither Hema Pinjani-Jha nor Prem Jha has been presented here as having committed wrongdoing, and no conclusion about any alleged financial motive should be drawn without substantiated evidence.
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September 28 deadline follows court intervention
The nominated-corporator process has already faced legal and political delays involving the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, Mayor Ashwini Nikam, Shiv Sena and BJP representatives.
The Bombay High Court had earlier directed the civic body to complete the appointment process by September 25, after BJP district president and group leader Rajesh Vadhrya challenged the postponement.
The Supreme Court subsequently extended the deadline, directing the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation to complete the appointment of seven nominated corporators by September 28, 2026.
The Supreme Court’s order followed a challenge involving Mayor Ashwini Nikam and two disqualified Shiv Sena corporators, whose separate disqualification proceedings remain before the Bombay High Court.
Eknath Shinde and Shrikant Shinde under local scrutiny
The political focus has consequently shifted towards Shiv Sena leadership, particularly Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, and Dr Shrikant Shinde, the Kalyan Lok Sabha MP.
Current reporting identifies Shrikant Shinde as the Kalyan MP and records his involvement in Shiv Sena’s organisational and political activities surrounding Ulhasnagar during 2026.
The description of Shrikant Shinde as an “Inframan” appears in the supplied political narrative and local discourse; it is presented here as a political nickname rather than an independently established official designation.
The central question for local party workers is therefore whether the final nominated-corporator arrangement will reflect organisational loyalty, alliance considerations, recent electoral positioning, or other political calculations.
For Sprouts News, the developments warrant continued scrutiny through official nomination documents, municipal proceedings, court orders and statements from the concerned political leaders.
The September 28 deadline is now the key procedural milestone, with seven nominated corporator positions to be filled and competing political claims surrounding the allocation of seats.
The outcome will provide a clearer picture of the political balance within Ulhasnagar’s civic administration and may also reveal how Shiv Sena manages competing expectations among established workers and newer entrants.
