Backed by BJP, MNS bags Nashik mayor’s post

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena bagged the mayor’s post in the 122-member Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Thursday. Party candidate Yatin Raghunath Wagh trounced the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s Tanaji Laxman Jaibhave with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party, after the Shiv Sena withdrew from the fray.

Mr. Wagh polled 56 votes, backed by the BJP (14 seats) and the Jansurajya Party (two seats). He won the prestigious post defeating his only rival, who secured just three votes.

The Nationalist Congress Party (20), the Congress (15) and the Independents (6) remained neutral while the Shiv Sena (19) staged a walkout.

There were a total of 11 candidates in the mayoral fray but nine withdrawals, including those by major parties ensured that there was a straight fight between Mr. Wagh and Mr. Jaibhave. The Shiv Sena, which had fielded its own candidate for the post, too withdrew at the last minute.

The Raj Thackeray-led MNS, which emerged as the single largest party in Nashik, with 40 seats in the House needed the majority mark of 62 to get the mayor’s post.

The BJP’s Satishnana Kulkarni got elected as the deputy mayor defeating Mr. Jaibhave, who contested for both the posts.

Later, talking to newspersons, Mr. Wagh said, “I, as the first MNS mayor in Maharashtra will try to fulfil all the development needs of Nashik, as envisioned by Raj Thackeray.”

Meanwhile, senior Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant, expressed disappointment over the BJP’s move and said the party has not maintained coalition dharma.