Political negotiations are heating up in Nashik as the Shiv Sena has put forward a demand for 60 out of the 122 seats in the upcoming Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections. This bold claim comes even as its alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has reportedly offered only 32 seats to the Sena. The two parties, part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, are expected to hold a crucial meeting within the next couple of days to finalise the contentious seat-sharing arrangement.
Shiv Sena's Strong Base and Justification for Demand
Insiders from the Shiv Sena have justified the high demand by pointing to the party's historical performance and strong local base. In the previous civic elections held in February 2017, the Shiv Sena secured 35 seats independently. Party leaders argue that given this established strength across Nashik city, they are entitled to a larger share of the electoral pie this time around. The negotiation talks with the BJP will see the Sena insisting on contesting at least 60 seats.
Deputy leader of Shiv Sena, Ajay Boraste, confirmed to the Times of India that while formal talks with the BJP are yet to begin, the party will stand firm on its demand for 60 seats. "We will start conducting interviews of the prospective candidates in our party office in Nashik city from Thursday," Boraste stated, indicating preparations are in full swing.
BJP's Confidence and Alliance Stance
On the other side of the table, the BJP has expressed confidence in the alliance's prospects. State water resources minister and senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan, during a recent visit to Nashik, affirmed that the BJP will contest the NMC polls under the Mahayuti alliance banner. This sentiment was echoed by Shiv Sena's state education minister Dada Bhuse, who also recently stated that his party would face the elections as part of the Mahayuti.
The BJP's confidence stems from its decisive victory in the 2017 NMC elections, where it won a clear majority of 66 seats. Other parties' tallies from that poll were Shiv Sena (35), Congress (6), Nationalist Congress Party (6), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (5), Independents (3), and the Republican Party of India (Athawale) with one seat. This time, BJP leaders are optimistic that the combined strength of the alliance will help them cross the 100-seat mark in the 122-member corporation.
Background of Delayed Polls and Upcoming Election
The last elected body of the Nashik Municipal Corporation completed its five-year term in March 2022. However, the subsequent elections were delayed due to a series of administrative and legal issues. These delays were primarily related to matters of ward formation and political reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC). With the Supreme Court providing necessary directions, the path has now been cleared for the civic polls to be held on January 15, 2026.
The upcoming meeting between the Shiv Sena and BJP leadership will be critical in determining the cohesion and strategy of the Mahayuti alliance ahead of the high-stakes urban local body elections. The outcome of these seat-sharing talks could significantly influence the political landscape of Nashik.
