In a significant political move ahead of the crucial Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday expanded its ranks by welcoming three prominent opposition leaders into its fold. The new inductees are former Shiv Sena (UBT) mayors Vinayak Pande and Yatin Wagh, along with former Congress standing committee chairman Shahu Khaire.
Internal Opposition and Strategic Consolidation
This induction, however, was not without its share of controversy, as it faced strong opposition from a section of BJP functionaries in Nashik. The move is widely seen as the BJP's strategy to consolidate its position in the city, especially after its Mahayuti alliance partner, Shiv Sena, demonstrated a strong performance in recent municipal council elections and began flexing its muscles during seat-sharing talks for the upcoming NMC polls.
The dissent within the party was visibly underscored by the absence of Nashik Central MLA Devyani Pharande, who had publicly voiced her reservations on social media regarding the inclusion of these opposition figures. She did not attend the induction ceremony held at the BJP's city unit office.
Swift Political U-Turn and Ceremony Tensions
Adding a dramatic twist to the event, it was revealed that just a day prior, on Wednesday, Vinayak Pande was seen at the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) office celebrating the new alliance between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT). During that gathering, Pande had predicted that "BJP will lose the Nashik corporation elections." His swift shift to the BJP the very next day highlighted the volatile nature of Nashik's political landscape.
The induction ceremony itself was marked by tight security and visible unease. Police personnel secured the premises and asked Pande, Wagh, Khaire, and their supporters to wait approximately 50 meters away from the main office, a directive that came amid clear disapproval from some party functionaries present.
Leadership Assurances and Electoral Confidence
Presiding over the event, Water Resources Department Minister Girish Mahajan addressed the gathering. He stated that politicians who once criticized the BJP had now realized that the party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was steering the nation and state on a path of development. "Nashik will also tread the same path," he asserted.
Mahajan expressed strong confidence in the BJP's electoral prospects, claiming the party would secure at least 100 out of the 122 seats in the NMC. He also mentioned that seat-sharing talks with alliance partner Shiv Sena were in an advanced stage. In a clear message to disgruntled party old-timers like Pharande, Mahajan clarified that induction into the party did not guarantee an election ticket. "The party will ensure justice to every person," he assured.
On their part, the new joiners explained their decisions. Pande cited the state's "phenomenal development" under the BJP and mentioned his daughter-in-law's eagerness to contest the NMC elections. Khaire lamented that the Congress leadership was not considering the views of the common man. Pande also expressed frustration with new "intermediaries" in Shiv Sena (UBT) who blocked access to senior leaders, a situation he claimed did not exist under the late Balasaheb Thackeray.
MLA Pharande's Strong Objections
In a separate statement, MLA Devyani Pharande elaborated on her objections. She claimed she was defending long-serving party workers against "agents" who were fixing seats for themselves for the corporation elections. "I have been given the responsibility of the corporation elections, but was not taken into confidence before such a move was made," she stated, demanding that senior leaders take note of the issue.
This is not the first instance of the BJP inducting a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader from the region against local MLA wishes. In June, the party had inducted prominent Sena (UBT) politician Sudhakar Badgujar in Mumbai, despite opposition from Nashik West MLA Seema Hiray, who was present at Thursday's ceremony.
