ULHASNAGAR: Ahead of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation elections, the city’s once-powerful Kalani family has suffered a significant political setback. The family’s political outfit, TOK (Team Omie Kalani), faced a blow after two-time corporator Rekha Thakur resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Thakur joined the BJP in the presence of State BJP President Ravindra Chavan, MLA Kumar Ailani, and BJP Ulhasnagar District President Rajesh Vadhrya. Known for her strong grassroots connect and active involvement in education and environmental causes, Thakur was considered one of the staunch supporters of the Kalani family. Her switch is being seen as a major loss for TOK and a strategic gain for the BJP ahead of the civic polls.BJP MLA Kumar Ailani said, “Thakur had won the previous election as a BJP candidate but later left the party to join Team Omie Kalani. However, she has now made a ‘ghar wapasi’ by returning to the BJP.”Thakur’s defection follows the exit of around five other corporators from the Kalani camp, who have also joined the BJP. In response, TOK has inducted some BJP functionaries into its fold.Political observers believe that ever since Pappu Kalani stepped back from active politics and handed over the reins to his son Omie Kalani, the family’s influence in Ulhasnagar has gradually weakened — a shift that the BJP appears to be capitalising on effectively.
