BJP, Sena likely to exchange Jalgaon, Nashik MLC seats

Nashik: With the filing of nominations for the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections beginning on Monday, seat-sharing among Mahayuti alliance partners remains unresolved, even as intense lobbying continues over key constituencies, including Nashik and Jalgaon.

Sources within the alliance indicated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena are likely to exchange the Nashik and Jalgaon seats as part of last-minute negotiations. While Shiv Sena has staked claim to the Nashik seat — earlier held by party’s former MLC Narendra Darade — the BJP currently holds the Jalgaon seat. However, evolving political equations suggest a possible swap between the two parties.

State minister and Shiv Sena leader Gulabrao Patil has strongly pitched for the Jalgaon seat to be allocated to his party, expressing his desire to field his son, Pratap Patil, as the candidate.

Speaking to the reporters, Patil said that discussions at the leadership level could result in the exchange of certain seats among alliance partners. He added that he has conveyed his preference to the party leadership, but the final decision would rest with the top leaders of the Mahayuti.

Patil pointed out that the Jalgaon seat was with the Shiv Sena in earlier terms and was won by the BJP in the last election with Sena’s support. “We believe the seat should be allotted to Shiv Sena this time, but we will abide by the leadership’s decision,” he said.

In Nashik, the BJP is also eyeing a strong claim, with party leaders Ganesh Gite and Nilesh Bora keen to contest. On the other hand, Shiv Sena has multiple aspirants, including former MLC Narendra Darade, Nashik Municipal Corporation group leader Ajay Boraste and party secretary Bhausaheb Chaudhari.

Alliance sources said the final call on seat allocation will be taken by the top leadership, including the chief minister and both deputy chief ministers, as negotiations enter the final phase.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi is also preparing to contest the elections jointly, though its seat-sharing arrangement is yet to be finalised.

Elections to 16 MLC seats across Maharashtra, including Nashik, Jalgaon and Ahilyanagar, are scheduled for June 18, with counting on June 22. The nomination process begins on May 25, scrutiny will be held on June 2 and candidates can withdraw their nominations till June 4.

In Ahilyanagar, where electoral arithmetic is closely watched, the BJP holds an advantage with 199 members out of a total electorate of 461. The NCP has around 50 members, while 231 votes are required for victory. The seat was held by NCP’s Arun Jagtap in the previous term, but the BJP is expected to mount a strong challenge, even as the NCP has intensified efforts to retain it.

With the nomination deadline approaching, both BJP and Shiv Sena have stepped up negotiations and internal preparations, signalling a tight contest ahead.