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Maharashtra's Big Bet: Mahayuti Alliance Unites for Crucial Local Body Polls

The ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra has decided to contest the crucial local body elections together. BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP will jointly fight for 32 Zilla Parishads and 29 Municipal Corporations. Senior leaders will personally intervene to settle any seat-sharing disagreements at the local level. The alliance is also preparing for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election, with a committee formed to discuss seat distribution.

Key Points: Mahayuti Alliance BJP Shiv Sena NCP to Contest Local Body Polls Together

  • Mahayuti sets ambitious target to secure over 51% of votes in upcoming local body elections
  • Senior leaders Fadnavis and Shinde to resolve any local seat-sharing disputes personally
  • A joint committee will negotiate Shiv Sena's demand for 90-100 BMC seats
  • Alliance asserts past internal differences are resolved, aiming for unified front
3 min read

Maharashtra: Mahayuti to contest Zilla Parishad, Municipal Corporation elections together

BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP's Mahayuti alliance will jointly contest 32 Zilla Parishad and 29 Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra, aiming for over 51% votes.

"The unity of the Mahayuti will remain intact in the Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation elections. - Chandrashekhar Bawankule"

Nagpur, Dec 10

Maharashtra Revenue Minister and BJP Election In-charge for local body polls Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday announced that the Mahayuti alliance partners BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP will together contest the upcoming elections to the 32 Zilla Parishads and 29 Municipal Corporations, saying that the unity among the three parties will remain intact.

"The unity of the Mahayuti will remain intact in the Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation elections. We have set a goal to achieve 51 per cent of the votes and win, and the Mahayuti will contest these elections together,” he said.

Minister Bawankule was speaking to reporters after a meeting attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP State President Ravindra Chavan, and himself.

"Instructions have been given to all district-level leaders to complete the Mahayuti's structure at the local level. While some issues may arise on 5 to 10 per cent of the seats locally, Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde will personally sit and take the final decision there,” he said.

Minister Bawankule further said that the Mahayuti is also prepared for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.

"Although the Shiv Sena has demanded 90 to 100 seats, the decision on seat-sharing will be taken after examining technical aspects. For this purpose, a committee comprising four office-bearers each from the BJP and Shiv Sena, along with representatives of the Mahayuti, will meet and discuss," he added. He clarified that where differences of opinion occur, senior leaders will find a solution. Furthermore, the decision on the Mayor's post in Mumbai will be taken jointly by CM Fadnavis and DCMs Shinde, and Ajit Pawar.

Minister Bawankule stressed that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is an integral part of the Mahayuti and will fight the upcoming battles alongside them. He clarified that in the past local self-government elections, there were some "differences of opinion" among workers in a few places, but those have now been completely resolved. "We had no 'heartbreak', only election-related 'differences of opinion'," he asserted.

Bawankule’s statement comes in the wake of allegations of poaching made by the Shiv Sena and BJP leaders during the recently held elections to 264 nagar parishads and nagar panchayats. Besides, in several local bodies, the three partners contested against each other, which led to verbal duels among them during the election campaign.

Speaking on the issue of a separate Vidarbha and its development, Minister Bawankule sharply criticised the Congress. He stated that since Devendra Fadnavis' government came to power in 2014, Vidarbha has seen rapid development. "The BJP believes that small states can develop, and our aim is to give full justice to Vidarbha. The Congress's decline in this region is due to its neglect of Vidarbha," he said.

He also clarified that the Forest Department headquarters (Forest office) will not be shifted to Mumbai, as Vidarbha has the largest forest cover.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
"No heartbreak, only differences of opinion" – what a diplomatic way to put it! 😄 On a serious note, if they can manage their workers and avoid internal fights, it's better for governance. Let's see if this 'Mahayuti' actually delivers on the ground beyond elections.
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Aman W
The focus on Vidarbha's development is a welcome point. For too long, the region felt neglected. If this alliance can bring more infrastructure and jobs here, they will get strong support. Keeping the Forest HQ in Nagpur makes complete sense.
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Sarah B
As an observer, the real test will be Mumbai. Shiv Sena demanding 90-100 seats shows the tension is just under the surface. A committee to decide is good, but will local workers accept top-down decisions? Alliance politics is always messy.
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Vikram M
They say differences are resolved, but what about the poaching allegations? The statement feels like an attempt to present a united front before elections. The proof will be in how they campaign in the villages and wards. Action speaks louder than words.
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Kriti O
Ultimately, we need local bodies that work for water, roads, and sanitation. Hope this alliance contesting together means faster decision-making and less political blame games after the elections. That's what matters to common people like us.

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