Sena, NCP at loggerheads over final ward formation in TMC

Shiv Sena wanted to increase the number of wards in Diva while the NCP insisted on increasing wards in Mumbra

The State Election Commission (SEC) on Saturday announced the final ward composition for the ensuing Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) elections, in which the number of wards in Diva have been increased while decreased in Mumbra. Shiv Sena wanted to a higher number of wards in Diva, while the NCP insisted to increase wards in Mumbra. However, the number of corporators have been increased from seven to nine in Diva, while reduced to 25 from 27 in Mumbra.

At present, the number of corporators in TMC is 131. The number of wards has increased by 11, bringing the number of corporators to 142. With the election to be held in threemember system, the total number of wards stand at 47. One ward will have four members, while the remaining wards will have three members each. The model ward structure was prepared by the municipal administration as per the instructions of the SEC.

Earlier, the number of corporators in Mumbra were increased by reducing the number of corporators in Diva, which previously had eight corporators. This led to a battle of accusations between the Shiv Sena and the NCP, where the Sena had raised objections against the formation of the ward.

1,964 objections received

The Municipal Election Department received 1,964 objections regarding the draft ward structure announced for TMC. Sabe, Diva, a four-member ward, received the highest number of 335 objections. The TMC had held a hearing on all these objections and submitted the ward structure to the SEC, which finalised it.