Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Mumbai corporator’s OBC certificate rejection sparks Shiv Sena faction clash
Vishakha Raut is a Mumbai corporator from Shiv Sena (UBT).
She won a closely contested election for an OBC-reserved ward in Dadar.
A caste scrutiny committee rejected her OBC certificate after a complaint.
This could put her corporator position at risk.
Raut says she will appeal the decision.
Her party wants her to remain in office while the appeal is considered.
The Shinde faction wants civic authorities to take action under the BMC Act.
The dispute has become another political conflict between the two Shiv Sena factions.
The Palghar Caste Scrutiny Committee rejected Vishakha Raut’s OBC certificate.
Raut won Dadar’s OBC-reserved Ward 191 by 197 votes.
Shiv Sena (UBT) asked that Raut not be disqualified while she appeals.
Raut has three months to appeal to the Konkan Divisional Commissioner.
The Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction urged action under the BMC Act.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Vishakha Raut, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, and the Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction.
- What
- Raut’s OBC certificate was rejected, prompting a dispute over whether she should be disqualified from her Dadar seat.
- When
- The dispute was reported on August 24, 2026; Raut has three months to file an appeal.
- Where
- Dadar’s OBC-reserved Ward 191 in Mumbai, with the appeal going to the Konkan Divisional Commissioner.
- Why
- The Palghar Caste Scrutiny Committee cancelled Raut’s OBC certificate after a complaint challenging its validity.
Shiv Sena (UBT) position
Shiv Sena (Shinde) position
Whether Raut should remain in office
Shiv Sena (UBT) position
Raut should not be disqualified or have her post declared vacant while her appeal is pending.
Shiv Sena (Shinde) position
The civic administration should act on the scrutiny committee’s order under the BMC Act.
Effect of the certificate ruling
Shiv Sena (UBT) position
The ruling should be treated as subject to the available appeal process, which gives Raut three months to challenge it.
Shiv Sena (Shinde) position
The committee’s order supports Priya Sarvankar, and the Shinde faction says it will pursue the matter through legal channels.
- Corporator
- Vishakha Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT)
- Ward
- Ward 191, Dadar–Shivaji Park
- Election result
- Raut received 13,236 votes and won by 197 votes
- Certificate decision
- The Palghar Caste Scrutiny Committee rejected and cancelled her OBC certificate
- Appeal period
- Raut has three months to appeal to the Konkan Divisional Commissioner
- Decision timeline
- The Konkan Divisional Commissioner can take up to six months to decide the appeal
- Civic dispute
- Shiv Sena (UBT) seeks protection from disqualification, while Shiv Sena (Shinde) seeks action under the BMC Act