NMC mayoral polls: BJP’s Himgauri Aher, UBT’s Seema Pawar in fray

Nashik: The contest for NMC's mayoral post formally began on Tuesday, with BJP's Himgauri Aher and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Seema Pawar filing nomination papers. Alongside the mayoral nominations, four candidates — BJP's Machhindra Sanap and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)'s Vilas Shinde, Pravin Tidme and Rahul Dive — submitted papers for the deputy mayor's post. The nomination process was conducted during a three-hour window between 11am and 2 pm on Tuesday. Scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations will take place on Feb 6, following which elections for both mayor and deputy mayor will be held on the same day. Divisional commissioner of Nashik, Praveen Gedam, has appointed district collector Ayush Prasad as the presiding officer for the election. The BJP enjoys a comfortable majority in the 122-member House with 72 corporators, making it evident that the party's candidates will secure both posts. The UBT faction has 15 corporators, while Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) holds 26 seats. NCP has 4 corporators, Congress 3, MNS 1 and 1 independent. BJP contested the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) polls independently, while other Mahayuti partners Shiv Sena and NCP contested the recent NMC polls jointly. Ahead of the nominations, water resources minister and Nashik guardian minister Girish Mahajan convened a meeting of all 72 BJP corporators at a hotel on the outskirts of Nashik city on Tuesday. After the meeting, he announced the party's official candidates for mayor and deputy mayor. Later, speaking to the media, Mahajan, who also holds the Kumbh Mela portfolio, outlined the criteria behind selecting the mayoral nominee. He said the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela required a leader familiar with the functioning of the municipal corporation. Introducing an entirely new face at this stage, he said, could lead to challenges, prompting the party to opt for a candidate with proven capability.Himgauri Aher had earlier served as chairperson of the standing committee during the previous BJP-led term and was active in education, medical and social sectors. Mahajan said her experience and administrative background would significantly benefit the city as it enters the crucial preparation phase of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) fielded multiple candidates for the deputy mayor's post. Mahajan said there was still time for withdrawal and that discussions were underway with deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde as well as local leaders.He added that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP president Ravindra Chavan and Deputy CM Shinde were of the view that Mahayuti partners should remain united in the NMC, especially with the Simhastha Kumbh Mela approaching. The BJP would accept any decision taken by the chief minister and the state leadership, he said. Mahajan also indicated that other important posts in ward committees could be allocated to Mahayuti partners if they decide to come together.