MLC polls: MVA fails to field candidates in Nashik, Ahilyanagar

Nashik: The last day for filing nominations for the MLC elections in North Maharashtra turned into a high-stake political drama.

The opposition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), failed to field official candidates in Nashik and Ahilyanagar, while internal friction and unexpected alliances reshaped the contest across the region.

In Nashik, Shiv Sena successfully snatched the Mahayuti nomination for sitting MLC Narendra Darade, sidelining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This marked a second political embarrassment for water resources department minister Girish Mahajan, following government reversal on his appointment as Nashik’s guardian minister due to Shiv Sena pressure.

Adding a twist to the race, former Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) standing committee chairman Ganesh Gite filed his nomination as an independent after the seat went to Sena. His younger brother, Gokul Gite, also entered the fray independently.

“I am contesting as an independent. In Nashik, the candidate with maximum support has lost elections and that makes me confident of winning the elections,” Gokul Gite said while dismissing the rumors of a covert MVA backing.

In Ahilyanagar, the ruling Mahayuti averted a potential internal rebellion. The BJP secured the candidature of Prajakt Tanpure — a former NCP (SP) leader and nephew of Jayant Patil — who officially joined the saffron party just a day prior. Tanpure had recently cleared the path for BJP’s Akshay Kardile in the Rahuri bypolls.

In Jalgaon, the BJP secured the Mahayuti seat after a month-long tug-of-war with Shiv Sena. Nandkishore Mahajan filed his official nomination on Monday, but the conspicuous absence of Shiv Sena district guardian minister Gulabrao Patil and his supporters triggered intense speculation about an internal rift.