India, Aug. 26 -- In Thane city, BJP has objected to the draft of ward formation. Its leaders held a meeting on Monday, in which they alleged manipulation to benefit Shiv Sena, purportedly evidenced by the areas favourable to its candidate being merged with the electoral wards BJP is planning to contest. There are 131 electoral wards of which Shiv Sena won 67 in the last election held in 2017. All of them joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena after the split in the party in 2022. Additionally, leaders from NCP and MNS also joined Sena, bringing Sena's former corporators' (whose term ended in 2022) headcount to 80. "Now, the wards have been formed in a manner to ensure they are elected again by adding new areas to old ones favourable to them," alleged a BJP leader who spoke at the meeting. Thane city BJP chief Sandeep Lele said he has received complaints from former corporators and officer bearers. "Wards should be formed to benefit people and not political parties," said Lele. Recently, BJP leaders had expressed a desire to go solo in Thane. The party had asked its minister Ganesh Naik to hold a Janata Darbar in Thane city to counter the influence of Shinde there and make way for BJP which won only 23 seats in past civic body elections in 2017. Last week, Naik had again challenged the Shinde camp saying BJP could win on its own steam without entering into an alliance with Shinde. BJP minister Ashish Shelar however dismissed that there was any dispute within the ruling alliance based on local leaders' critique. "Everyone has an opinion on issues. But it does not mean there is conflict in the alliance. One can submit grievances in suggestions and objections," said Shelar. Speaking on similar lines, Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre, said: "This is only a draft; there is scope to rectify errors, if any." Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, played down the complaints, saying, "Such complaints should be aired on the party's platform. At the same time, everyone should accept the decision taken by authorities." All efforts by HT to speak to deputy CM Eknath Shinde remained futile....