In the changed political equations post the Assembly elections, the NCP and the Congress passed the first hurdles of their new-found friendship in the civic corridors last week as the two once-warring parties joined hands to elect their members as head of one committee each. But the real test will come next month when the prestigious mayor elections are held.

Moreover, all eyes will be on the possible reservation for the post of mayor this time.

The election for the post of mayor and deputy mayor was postponed by four months due to Assembly polls in October even after the two-and-a-half-year term for the two posts had expired on July 31. The state urban development department temporarily postponed the elections by four months till November 30.

In February 2007, the PMC had witnessed an unusual alliance after the NCP joined hands with the Shiv Sena and BJP to get its representative elected to the mayoral post while giving the post of deputy mayor to a Sena representative. The alliance that continued for over two-and-half years ended ahead of the Assembly polls.

Last week, the election for chairman’s post of city improvement committee and legal committee saw the Congress and NCP coming together again and displaying their might in the civic body.

“The new ministry is set to be formed any time now and soon after the government will issue a notification for the election of mayor’s post along with declaring the reservations for the post,” a senior state official said.

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