THANE: Taking lessons from their poor show in recently-held local civic body polls, Maharashtra's ruling Congress and NCP are understood to have decided to come together in the elections to Zilla parishad and panchayat samitis, slated for March 11.

Both the parties, partners in the Democratic Front government in the state, had contested separately and suffered defeat in the February 1 Thane Municipal Corporation polls.

A highly placed source in the district Congress informed that NCP and some other parties including Vasai Vikas Aghadi led by Hitendra Thakur, CPI (M) and Kunbi Sena are likely to join hands and fight the elections.

"The parties are joining hands against Shiv Sena-BJP alliance with a view to building a strong ground in the district for the ensuing state assembly elections," the source said.