BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP Secure 68 Seats Unopposed in Maharashtra; Opposition Slams Process
Ruling Mahayuti alliance candidates set for easy victories in 29 municipal corporations as opposition cries foul over last minute withdrawals.
Maharashtra, Dec 03 : The BJP led Mahayuti alliance has secured 68 seats uncontested in the upcoming Maharashtra municipal corporation elections, reports confirmed on Friday, the last day for nomination withdrawals. The unopposed victories include 44 seats for the BJP, 22 for Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and 2 for the NCP, while an Islam Party candidate in Malegaon also faces no challengers.
Across 29 municipal corporations, a total of 2,869 seats are up for grabs in elections scheduled for January 15. Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation leads with 22 unopposed seats for the ruling alliance, including 15 BJP and 7 Shiv Sena candidates. Jalgaon follows with 12 Mahayuti candidates likely to win uncontested. In Panvel and Pune, multiple BJP candidates were declared unopposed after opposition withdrawals, raising eyebrows.
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC hailed the unopposed wins as a “trailer” of the alliance’s expected dominance in all 29 corporations. Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol attributed the victories to developmental work under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, suggesting they set the stage for a BJP mayor in Pune.
Opposition parties, however, alleged that the ruling alliance had intimidated candidates into withdrawing last-minute. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed returning officers were pressured to accept late withdrawal forms, calling it “mobocracy in the name of democracy.” Following these allegations, the State Election Commission has ordered that final announcements of winners in these wards be withheld until investigations are complete.
