NMC forms 16-member standing committee

Nashik: The local civic body on Monday constituted its 16-member standing committee, with mayor Himgauri Aher announcing the names during the General Body meeting of the municipal corporation.The panel includes 9 members from the BJP, 4 from Shiv Sena, 2 from UBT, and 1 from NCP. The numbers were decided as per the strength of the party or group of parties, as per the registration at the divisional commissionerate.Mayor Himgauri Aher declared the names of the standing committee members party-wise after the names were given by the respective group leaders of the parties before the General Body meeting in Nashik. Interestingly, MNS—despite having only 1 corporator, Mayuri Pawar—secured a place on the committee after forming a joint group with Shiv Sena at the Nashik divisional commissionerate. Independent corporator and BJP rebel Mukesh Shahane was also inducted on the panel as an NCP nominee after registering himself with its corporator group.The 16-member standing committee includes 9 members from BJP—Madhuri Bolkar, Nitin Nigal, Pallavi Ganore, Deepali Kulkarni, Indubai Khetade, Aditi Pande, Sarita Sonawane, Jayashree Gaikwad and Machhindra Sanap—4 members from the Shiv Sena-MNS group—Mayuri Pawar, Kiran Gamane, Rahul Dive and Ranjana Borade—2 members from the UBT-Congress group—Bharti Tajanpure and Yogesh Gadekar—and 1 member from the NCP-independent group—Mukesh Shahane.The NMC administration is expected to soon request Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam to declare the election schedule for the committee's chairman post, likely to be held next week."We will soon send a letter to the divisional commissioner of Nashik, Pravin Gedam, requesting him to declare the election programme for the post of the standing committee chairperson of the NMC. Once the date is declared, we will make preparations for the elections. The divisional commissioner will also appoint his representative to carry out the election process as the presiding officer."Meanwhile, BJP has a majority in the standing committee of the NMC, with 9 members in the 16-member standing committee. 9 members are needed for the post of the chairperson of the standing committee. Hence, it is clear that the next standing committee chairperson will be from the BJP.