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This is an archive article published on June 10, 2017

Congress, Shiv Sena join hands to gain control of Malegaon corporation

According to the arrangement worked out between the parties, the Congress will get the post of mayor while the Shiv Sena will get the deputy mayor’s chair

malegaon municipal corporation, congress shiv sena alliance, malegaon news, india news, latest news, indian express In an alliance, the two parties will be in a position to install their representatives in the corporation.

The Congress and Shiv Sena have decided to form an alliance to gain control of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation. This is the first time the two parties have joined hands in Malegaon.

According to the arrangement worked out between the parties, the Congress will get the post of mayor while the Shiv Sena will get the deputy mayor’s chair.

On Thursday, both parties filed nominations together, fielding former MLA Shaikh Rasheed as the Congress candidate for the mayor’s post and Sena’s Sakharam Ghodke for the post of the deputy mayor. Elections for the post of the mayor in the 84-member civic body is slated for June 14.

The Congress had emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had 20 seats and its ally, the Janata Dal, had six seats. The Shiv Sena won 13 seats, while BJP bagged 9 seats, The AIMIM had 7 seats while an Independent won one seat.

“Yes, we have decided to join hands with the Congress. With the present political alignment in Malegaon, this was the only way out. Our political leadership felt that it was the right way forward,” Dada Bhuse, Minister of State for Cooperation and Sena leader from Malegaon, said.

In an alliance, the two parties will be in a position to install their representatives in the corporation.

In 2007, the Shiv Sena had come close to joining hands with the Indian Muslim Congress Party (IMCP), a front floated by cleric Mufti Ismail to gain power in the corporation. The alliance had, however, fallen through after the Congress decided to extend support to the IMCP.

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Asked if the alliance would throw open the possibility of the Congress and Sena joining hands in other parts of the state, Bhuse said the decision rested with the party chiefs and would be based on local considerations.

Malegaon Municipal Corporation had recently drawn attention after the BJP launched an outreach drive aimed at the minority community.

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise  Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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