Geeta Gawli’s party withdraws support to Sena in BMC

Geeta Gawli, daughter of underworld don turned politician Arun Gawli, on Friday, announced that her party is withdrawing support to the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the civic body. Her party, Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS), has two members in the civic body.

Geeta Gawli, daughter of underworld don turned politician Arun Gawli, on Friday, announced that her party is withdrawing support to the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the civic body. Her party, Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS), has two members in the civic body.

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Gawli said she was withdrawing support because she was not being taken into confidence by the ruling combine.

“I was never given information before clearing any projects. All the proposals I sent were either rejected or put on hold. I have not been treated with respect,” said Geeta Gawali, who is the chairman of civic health committee.

Although her decision would not affect majority of the Sena-BJP alliance in the civic body, it would lose some cushion as it has wafer-thin majority in the civic house.

In a house of 227 seats, the Sena-BJP alliance has 119 members. If ABS withdraws its support, it will come down to 117 — still three more than simple majority of 114. The Sena has 75 corporators, the BJP 31 and RPI 1 corporator. The ruling alliance enjoys the support of 10 independents.

Sena leaders were confident that they would convince Gawli to reconsider the decision.

Shiv Sena group leader in BMC, Yashodhar Fanase, said: “I will personally talk to her and will resolve all the issues. We will see to it that her proposals get cleared. Her support is important for our alliance,” he said. He added that the Sena never sidelined Gawli.