HC ruling triggers number game in BMC

Mumbai, Aug 1 (UNI) The Mumbai High Court today disqualified four Shiv Sena corporators of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for submitting fake caste certificates, reducing the strength of the ruling Sena-BJP coalition to 112.

With the disqualification of four Sena corporators, the present strength of Sena is 82, BJP 28 and Arun Gawli-led Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS) two. On the other hand, the Congress alliance which has 106 seats -- eight short of majority -- has stepped up its efforts to cobble together a majority in the civic body in attept to oust the ruling alliance. Congress corporator and leader of the opposition in the BMC, Raj Hans Singh said, ''The number of Sena corporators has come down and we are exploring possibilities of forming a majority in the corporation.'' ''We will demand that the candidate coming second should be declared the winner in such a situation and see to it that the Government Resolution (GR), which is pending in the State Assembly be passed at the earliest,'' he said.

The four corporators who have been disqualified by the Court are Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, Subhash Kanta Sawant, Shrimantini Narkar and Suresh Gangan.

Earlier, four Sena Corporators were also disqualified by the High court on simlar charges.

Besides NCP, Samajwadi Party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Republican Party of India and some independents the other alliance partners of the opposition Congress.

However, the Sena is contemplating approaching the Supreme Court against the High Court ruling.

UNI