In a rare political development, the rival Shiv Sena factions led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray have forged a local-level alliance to contest the Zilla Parishad elections in Barshi taluka of Solapur district. The move signals a strategic attempt by anti-BJP forces to consolidate votes ahead of the crucial local body elections in Maharashtra.

The alliance brings together the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA from Barshi, Dilip Sopal, confirmed the development and urged party workers to mobilise support for an upcoming rally to strengthen the alliance’s campaign.

However, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the party’s central leadership had not been fully briefed on the local arrangement. While acknowledging indications of anti-BJP unity in Barshi, he noted that detailed information was still being gathered and that even party chief Uddhav Thackeray was not fully aware of the specifics of the alliance.

The Barshi tie-up comes at a time when the BJP has consolidated its position in Solapur district following strong performances in recent municipal and APMC elections. In Barshi, the BJP secured a clean sweep in the Agricultural Produce Market Committee polls and went on to control the municipal council, winning 23 of 42 seats.

To counter BJP’s dominance and address dissatisfaction among Shinde Sena workers, Dilip Sopal stitched together the multi-party alliance well ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. Under the seat-sharing arrangement, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has been allotted three Zilla Parishad seats and eight Panchayat Samiti seats, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena will contest two Zilla Parishad seats and four Panchayat Samiti seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest one Zilla Parishad seat.

Despite contesting on different party symbols, the alliance partners have reached a pre-poll understanding to jointly oppose the BJP. The Barshi experiment is being closely watched as a possible indicator of future political realignments in Maharashtra, especially ahead of elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis scheduled for February 5, with counting on February 7.