Overview

• The Sena (UBT)–MNS ‘Utkarsh’ slate failed to win any of the 21 seats in the BEST Employees’ Co‑operative Credit Society election.
• Shashank Rao’s workers’ union panel took 14 seats and the BJP-backed Sahakar Samruddhi panel won seven, with turnout reported at about 83% (12,656 of 15,123 members voting).
• A day after the defeat, MNS chief Raj Thackeray met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Varsha, a visit both sides described as issue-focused even as it stirred realignment chatter.
• Sena (UBT) functionaries alleged cash influenced the vote, a claim opponents rejected while framing the outcome as a rejection of the ‘Thackeray brand.’
• Despite the setback and the meeting’s timing, leaders from both parties say coordination talks continue, with a joint rally in Nashik announced for September 12.