India, Feb. 7 -- The Congress has thrown its weight behind the ISLAM-Samajwadi Party (SP) alliance in Malegaon, helping the coalition clinch victory in the January 15 civic elections to the municipal corporation.

In Malegaon, the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra (ISLAM) party contested the election with the SP, who between them have 40 seats. The addition of the three seats won by the Congress has given them control over the Malegaon Municipal Corporation. The mayoral election will be held on Saturday.

The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which emerged as the second-largest party in the elections, with 21 seats in the 84-seat corporation, has decided to remain neutral in the mayoral elec...