BJP & Sena both stake claim to Nashik MLC seat

Nashik: The Nashik seat for the June 18 Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) election has become a point of contention within Mahayuti as both BJP and Shiv Sena are staking their claims to it.

The seat, vacant for nearly two years, was last occupied by Shiv Sena functionary Narendra Darade, an argument the party is using to justify its demand. BJP functionaries, however, claim their party currently holds the largest number of elected representatives in the constituency, which forms the electoral college for the MLC polls, strengthening its position in negotiations.

“We have the highest number of elected representatives in the district, so it is natural for the party to seek the Nashik seat. However, the final decision will be taken by senior s,” a BJP office-bearer said.

Within BJP, MLA Ganesh Gite and Nilesh Bora are keen to contest. On the Shiv Sena side, former MLC Narendra Darade, Nashik Municipal Corporation group leader Ajay Boraste, and party secretary Bhausaheb Chaudhari are aspirants.

NCP, meanwhile, is yet to spell out its stand on the seat-sharing arrangement.

According to data from the district election office, a total of 623 public representatives will form the electorate for the Nashik MLC polls. This includes 122 corporators from the Nashik Municipal Corporation and 84 from the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, along with members from various municipal councils and nagar panchayats across the district.

With the election schedule already announced, political activity has intensified. Nominations will be filed between May 25 and June 1, scrutiny will take place on June 2, and withdrawals are allowed till June 4. Voting is scheduled for June 18 from 8 am to 4 pm, with counting on June 22.

As the deadline approaches, both BJP and Shiv Sena have stepped up lobbying to secure the crucial seat, setting the stage for a keen intra-alliance battle.