In a significant political development ahead of the civic polls, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have agreed to form an alliance to contest the upcoming Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections jointly. The polls are scheduled for January 15.
Alliance Finalised in Mumbai Meetings
The decision was cemented after a series of crucial meetings in Mumbai on Thursday. A high-level delegation of local MNS leaders first met the party chief, Raj Thackeray, at his residence. The delegation, which included state secretary Dinkar Patil, Nashik city chief Sudam Kombade, and district president Ankush Pawar, presented a detailed report on the current political scenario in Nashik.
Following Thackeray's directives, the same delegation then held discussions with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. The talks centered on various issues related to the civic polls and the modalities of the partnership. Party insiders confirmed that during these separate meetings, a consensus was reached to also bring the Congress and the CPM into the broader coalition for a united fight.
Winnability to Dictate Seat Sharing
A formal announcement regarding the MNS-Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance is expected to be made public shortly. The most critical takeaway from the discussions is the agreed-upon criterion for allocating seats between the allies. Sources revealed that the 'winnability factor' of individual candidates will be the primary basis for deciding seat distribution.
This pragmatic approach suggests the alliance aims to field the strongest possible candidates in each ward to maximise their chances against rivals like the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
MNS Begins Candidate Screening Process
Meanwhile, on the ground in Nashik, the MNS machinery has swung into action. The party's city unit has decided to commence interviews for aspiring candidates starting Saturday at the local party office. The process has already garnered significant interest, with approximately 290 prospective candidates having submitted their applications so far, indicating a keen contest for party tickets.
This pre-poll pact marks a strategic consolidation of opposition forces in one of Maharashtra's key municipal corporations. The focus on candidate winnability underscores a calculated move to convert political understanding into tangible electoral gains, setting the stage for a highly competitive election in Nashik next month.
