Nashik Standing Committee Chairperson Election Scheduled for February 25
Divisional Commissioner Praveen Gedam has officially announced that the election for the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) standing committee chairperson will be held on February 25. This schedule was declared following a formal request from the civic body's town secretary department, which sought to initiate the poll process after the committee's formation was completed.
BJP's Clear Majority Positions Machhindra Sanap as Frontrunner
With nine members in the 16-member standing committee, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds a decisive majority. This numerical advantage makes it evident that the next chairperson will emerge from the BJP's ranks. Among the contenders, two-time BJP corporator Machhindra Sanap has emerged as the leading candidate. Sanap recently withdrew from the deputy mayoral race on February 10, following instructions from senior party leaders, a move that has now positioned him favorably for this key post.
Other BJP members in the fray include Madhuri Bolkar and Deepali Kulkarni, but Sanap's prospects have been significantly boosted by recent political developments. During the earlier deputy mayoral election, BJP had initially nominated Sanap, while Shiv Sena selected Vilas Shinde. In a strategic shift, BJP later decided to allocate the deputy mayor's post to Shiv Sena, leading Sanap to withdraw his nomination. This resulted in Himgauri Aher being elected unopposed as mayor and Vilas Shinde assuming the deputy mayor role.
Political Endorsements and Leadership Decisions
Following these elections, senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan publicly praised Sanap for stepping aside as instructed, emphasizing that the party leadership would consider his name for future positions. This endorsement has further strengthened Sanap's candidacy for the standing committee chairperson role. However, the final decision rests with the state leadership and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who will ultimately determine the party's nominee.
Complete Composition of the Standing Committee
The 16-member standing committee features a clear political breakdown:
- BJP (9 members): Madhuri Bolkar, Nitin Nigal, Pallavi Ganore, Deepali Kulkarni, Indubai Khetade, Aditi Pande, Sarita Sonawane, Jayashree Gaikwad, and Machhindra Sanap.
- Shiv Sena-MNS Group (4 members): Mayuri Pawar, Kiran Gamane, Rahul Dive, and Ranjana Borade.
- UBT-Congress Group (2 members): Bharti Tajanpure and Yogesh Gadekar.
- NCP-Independent Group (1 member): Mukesh Shahane.
This electoral process marks a significant step in Nashik's municipal governance, with the standing committee playing a crucial role in local administration and decision-making. The outcome on February 25 will shape the city's political landscape and influence upcoming civic policies.
