This story is from January 2, 2019

BJP-NCP pact for Ahmednagar mayor leaves Shiv Sena fuming

BJP-NCP pact for Ahmednagar mayor leaves Shiv Sena fuming
MUMBAI: By securing the Ahmednagar mayor's office with support from NCP, BJP has sent out a warning to its ally, the Shiv Sena, to fall in lineahead of the 2019 general elections, say observers.
The Ahmednagar 'pattern', as Saamna, the Sena mouthpiece has described the BJP-NCP tie-up, could well herald a new post-poll equation, they added.
Despite winning the highest number of seats in the 68-strong Ahmednagar civic body, Sena lost the mayoralty to BJP which came third in the polls, while the deputy mayor's post has been won by the NCP.

Saamna has dubbed the BJP-NCP tie-up an "illicit relationship", saying it showed the "duplicity" of the two parties. In an editorial on Monday, Saamna even spoke of a possible BJP-NCP-Congress partnership in the state.
However, sources in the NCP said it was "committed" to forging an alliance of Opposition parties to take on BJP in the 2019 elections. "We can't be teaming up with Hindutva forces," said a state NCP leader.
NCP president Sharad Pawar has claimed the party's Ahmednagar unit defied his order not to enter into a postpoll pact with BJP. Speaking to media in Ahmednagar, he said "action" would be taken against those found guilty of flouting the party whip. However, he declined to take questions on nature of action to be taken.

BJP has said the Sena remained cool to its offer to collaborate in the Ahmednagar municipal body. This prompted the local BJP unit to team up with NCP, said a state BJP functionary. He claimed Sena was also ready with a plan to destabilise the Fadnavis regime.
Saying there were reports that Uddhav Thackeray may ask his ministers to quit the state cabinet in January, even while continuing support to the government on the floor of the house, the state BJP functionary said, "This clearly means the Sena is keen on destabilising our government." The Maharashtra assembly polls are scheduled for October 2019.
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