10 November,2025 04:42 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondent
Former NCP MP Sameer Bhujbal on Monday met state minister Girish Mahajan in Nashik on Monday. Pic/X
In the run-up to the Maharashtra local body elections, former NCP MP Sameer Bhujbal on Monday met state minister Girish Mahajan in Nashik, sparking political speculation about possible seat-sharing talks between the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the BJP, reported the PTI.
Sources told the PTI that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts by the ruling alliance to finalise coordination strategies and seat adjustments for the civic elections scheduled for December 2.
The leaders reportedly held detailed discussions about the political situation in Yeola constituency and preparations for polls to the Yeola Municipal Council, Nandgaon, and Manmad civic bodies, as per the PTI.
Earlier on Saturday, BJP's Nashik district election in-charge and MLA Dr Rahul Aher met Bhujbal at his Yeola office, accompanied by district president Yatin Kadam, youth wing chief Sameer Samdadiya, and former Manmad municipal president Ganesh Dhatrak, sources said, according to the PTI.
Once the discussions are concluded, both parties are expected to make a formal announcement regarding their alliance strategy for the upcoming local body polls.
Meanwhile, around the speculations of MNS joining hands with Maha Vikas Aghadi, a leader of the Raj Thackeray-led party on Monday said that the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had finalised an alliance for local body polls in Nashik.
MNS leader Dinkar Patil, who made the announcement at a press conference, said that Raj Thackeray will however take the final decision in the matter, reported PTI.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi comprises Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and the Congress.
Patil, while asserting about the possible alliance, said that "The alliance has been formed for all polls henceforth. This decision has been taken to keep democracy alive. All parties have pointed to irregularities in the voters' list. Moreover, farmers are distressed due to crop losses caused by rain, as cited by news agency PTI.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader DL Karad further said that all parties have decided to contest the forthcoming elections together to reduce the influence of the ruling Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
He further added, "We have come together against the neglect of the government on issues such as corruption, casteism, etc.," as cited by news agency PTI.
Speaking at the press conference, local Congress leader and former corporator Rahul Dive asserted that "We have been given instructions by the seniors to take decisions at the local level," as cited by news agency PTI.
While stating about the possible alliance, he added, "We have decided to join hands. However, we will brief our leader Balasaheb Thorat about the decision later in the day. We will follow the order of the party high command," as cited by news agency PTI.
However, state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said his party has not taken any decision to align with the MNS in Nashik.
(with PTI inputs)
