Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator and former Mumbai mayor Vishakha Raut could lose her position in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) House after the Palghar Caste Scrutiny Committee cancelled the OBC certificate she used to contest a civic election from a reserved seat.

The committee took the decision on Friday following a complaint challenging the validity of Raut’s certificate. A copy of the order is expected to reach the BMC headquarters by Monday, after which the civic administration is likely to formally announce whether her corporator post stands cancelled.

OBC Certificate Cancelled By Palghar Committee

Raut had contested the BMC election from Ward 191 in Dadar on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket. The ward was reserved for women belonging to the Other Backward Classes category.

She had submitted her OBC caste certificate to establish her eligibility to contest the election from the reserved ward. The cancellation of the certificate could now directly affect her continuation as a member of the municipal House.

The Palghar Caste Scrutiny Committee’s order followed a complaint questioning the validity of the certificate. The committee subsequently invalidated the document, potentially affecting the basis on which Raut contested the election.

Raut Alleges Political Pressure

Raut has alleged that the action was the result of political pressure from the Shiv Sena. She has maintained that she belongs to the OBC category and defended the validity of her claim.

Raut has also said that her family’s ancestral village is located in Palghar district, which she cited in support of her OBC status.

BMC To Receive Committee Order

The committee’s order is expected to be sent to the BMC headquarters by Monday. The civic administration is then likely to take formal action regarding Raut’s position in the municipal House.

The development could have a direct bearing on Raut’s continuation as a corporator because the Ward 191 seat she contested was specifically reserved for women from the OBC category.

Raut’s position as a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator and former Mumbai mayor now faces uncertainty following the cancellation of the certificate on which her eligibility for the reserved seat was based.

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