Congress, Shiv Sena come together in Malegaon civic body

Mumbai: The Congress and Shiv Sena have decided to come together in Malegaon Municipal Corporation (MMC) in Nashik district.

The Shiv Sena has also joined hands with Congress in Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation.

Congress had won 28 seats out of 84 to emerge as the single largest party in Malegaon civic body.

The second position was shared by NCP-Janta Dal (U) alliance by winning 26 seats.

The efforts to stitch an alliance between Congress and NCP earlier failed as the local leaders had opposed it.

AIMIM and BJP had won seven seats each in the MMC.

Meanwhile, Congress candidate Rashid Shaikh today emerged victorious in the mayoral polls bagging 41 votes against NCP-BJP's Nabi Ahmed Ahamdulla who secured only 34 votes.

AIMIM corporators remained absent for voting during the mayor elections as a result Congress could win the post though Congress-Shiv Sena alliance did not have a clear majority.

For deputy mayor's election, seven corporators of BJP remained absent along with AIMIM paving way for Shiv Sena's Sakharakh Ghodake to become the deputy mayor.

The elections for the Malegaon civic body were held last month along with Panvel and Bhiwandi.