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Sources say BJP’s alliance partners – Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) – are demanding a larger share of seats in their respective strongholds.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. (File)
As municipal elections draw closer in Maharashtra, political equations within the Mahayuti alliance are beginning to shift. In key urban centres — Mumbai, Thane, and Pune — the BJP is now exploring the ‘option’ of contesting on its own, say sources. This change in direction follows internal resistance from alliance partners Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), both of whom are demanding a larger share of seats in their respective strongholds.
According to source, senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have taken note of the deadlock. During his recent three-day visit to Maharashtra, Shah held crucial discussions with both Deputy Chief Ministers – Shinde and Pawar – on seat-sharing strategies. According to sources, Shah has now advised the state BJP unit to be prepared for independent contests, especially in the three high-stake cities. The push for solo fights stems from unresolved differences. In Mumbai, Eknath Shinde is said to have demanded a minimum of 107 out of 227 seats, citing the defection of over a hundred former Shiv Sena corporators from the Thackeray camp over the past three years. These leaders joined the Shinde faction on the promise of tickets, and the deputy CM is under pressure to deliver.
However, conceding 107 seats to Shiv Sena would leave BJP with limited room for negotiation. With other alliance partners like RPI also in the mix, BJP leaders worry that their influence and tally could shrink considerably. Notably, the BJP had won 82 seats independently in the previous BMC election, making it the single largest party.
Amit Shah reportedly made it clear that seat adjustments of this magnitude are not feasible without compromising BJP’s electoral standing. In Pune, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has similarly staked claim to a significant number of seats, asserting its historical presence and cadre strength. But unlike in Mumbai, the NCP lacks a comparable base in the metropolis, which has made negotiations further complicated. Sources privy to the discussions reveal that Shah has floated a new approach — contest independently in major urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune, while evaluating alliances in other regions based on local dynamics. The same has been communicated to state leaders, including CM Devendra Fadnavis, who has himself acknowledged the need for self-reliance in some constituencies.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed that local body elections be held within the next four months, setting the stage for a monsoon or post-monsoon electoral battle. As both ruling and opposition blocs begin groundwork, BJP’s recalibrated strategy signals a new phase in Maharashtra’s urban politics. The Mahavikas Aghadi too appears fragmented, giving BJP further reason to test its strength on its own in key cities. The days ahead may witness each Mahayuti partner choosing its own battleground — together in spirit, but separate on the ballot.
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