Political parties mull consensus candidates for Ahmednagar DCC bank polls amid drought

Nashik: Senior leaders across political parties are discussing the possibility of picking consensus candidates for Ahmednagar District Central Cooperative Bank election, considering the severe drought conditions and rural agricultural distress across the district.On Sunday, senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sujay Vikhe Patil held deliberations to evaluate forming a unified panel. Former minister Yashwantrao Gadakh also voiced support for an unopposed election to avoid unnecessary political friction and preserve resources. However, the absence of key figures, such as legislative council chairperson Ram Shinde and parliamentarian Nilesh Lanke, from the discussions has raised doubts over the viability of a consensus candidacy.The ongoing consensus dialogue comes as the filing of nominations for the bank’s 21 board of directors started on Monday and will continue till Oct 5. The scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for Oct 6, followed by a withdrawal period from Oct 7 to Oct 21. Polling across the district is slated for Nov 2, with vote counting scheduled for Nov 3.“Deliberations are ongoing. Political parties have taken the first step towards bringing about a consensus. The parties will weigh their strengths and then demand their respective shares, which will be deliberated. If it sounds viable, a decision to conduct the elections unopposed will be reached,” said a senior office-bearer from Congress, adding that since the last date for withdrawal is Oct 21, there is ample time for discussions.The push for an all-party consensus is rooted in the previous 2021 elections. In Feb 2021, 17 of the 21 director seats were decided unopposed, leaving only four seats contested before Nationalist Congress Party (undivided) leader Uday Shelke became the president.However, after Shelke passed away, a vote split occurred due to cross-voting, despite the Maha Vikas Aghadi holding a clear numerical majority with nine directors from the NCP, four from Congress, and one Shiv Sena-backed director against six BJP members. Late BJP MLA Shivajirao Kardile subsequently defeated the official opposition candidate, Chandrashekhar Ghule.Local observers said failure to reach a consensus could trigger an intense, multi-cornered contest for control over primary financial institution supporting rural credit and cooperative sugar mills in the region.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nashik | Silver Rate in Nashik | Bank Holidays in Nashik | Public Holidays in Nashik | Petrol Price in Nashik | Diesel Price in Nashik | CNG Price in Nashik | LPG Price in NashikStay updated with the latest Nashik news. Download the TOI App.