Locals 'gheraoed' Maulana Mufti Mohmed Ismail, leader of the Third Front (Mahaj) in the Malegaon Municipal Corporation protesting his decision to forge an alliance with Congress to grab power in the civic body.

The crowd gathered in front of Apsara hotel on Tuesday night, where the Maulana was discussing the matter with his corporators.

The Third Front (Mahaj) has won 26 seats in the 72-member MMC.

The people asked the Maulana to break his alliance with Congress and also burnt his effigy. MMC polls were held on May 27.

The crowd asked the Maulana to either go with the Shiv Sena or stay in Opposition.

Earlier, the Maulana had to call off the alliance with Shiv Sena, following opposition from one of the religious groups.