Alleged kidnapping sparks Thane shutdown

Mumbai: Enraged by the "kidnapping" of its newly-elected corporator, Suhasini Lokhande, allegedly by its political rivals ahead of tomorrow's local mayor poll, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance on Sunday forced a total shutdown in Thane, the satellite city of Mumbai.

The usually busy city wore a deserted look, as the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC)-run buses and private autorickshaws went off the roads and shops, hotels and businesses remained closed throughout the day.

The disappearance of BJP corporator Suhasihi Lokhande has become a bone of contention between the Sena-BJP combine and Congress-NCP alliance, ahead of the poll.

Crucial poll

The poll is crucial for both political formations considering the February 16 TMC poll threw up a "hung" house.

Lokhande's brother, Prakash Tambate, accompanied by legislators Sanjay Kelkar of the BJP and Pratap Sarnaik of the Sena, lodged a complaint with the police on Saturday about the disappearance of his sister, brother-in-law Sunil Lokhande and nephew Sanket.

Lokhande spoke to a television channel from an undisclosed location over the telephone yesterday afternoon. "I am safe. I have come here to visit a temple…I am on my own and not under any political pressure… I will be at the TMC on March 6 and cast my vote in the mayoral poll."

However, the local BJP leaders were unconvinced.