For this you have to go further back in time to the era of the Chazon Ish who convinced Rav Yaakov Landa zt”l to become the Rav of Bnei Brak. Rav Yaakov was a chosid of the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavich. Rav Yaakov in his tzavaah wrote that Rav Moshe should replace him. At that time the Mayor of Bnei Brak, Moshe Irenstein was Chasidish and pushed through the Rabonus of Rav Moshe despite the opposition of the Litvishe tzibur. It is my understanding that Rav Moshe zt”l was not so involved with the last Lubavicher Rebbe until he visited New York in the early 80’s. Despite the opposition to his Rabonus, Rav Moshe harbored no ill feelings to those who opposed him. As a relative I know this firsthand.
Boruch Hashem there is now an agreement between the Litvish & Chasidish communities as to the future Rabonus of the city.
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