The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has gained an early edge in the Maharashtra civic elections, with 68 candidates declared elected unopposed even before polling day. Voting for the municipal elections is scheduled for January 15, following the closure of the nomination withdrawal window on Friday.
The unopposed victories came after several candidates from opposition parties withdrew their nominations, clearing the way for uncontested wins across multiple urban local bodies. Of the 68 seats secured without a contest, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accounted for 44, while the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 22 seats. Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) secured two unopposed victories.
The largest number of uncontested wins for the BJP came from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in Thane district. Additional seats were secured in major civic bodies including Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Panvel, Bhiwandi, Dhule, Jalgaon and Ahilyanagar.
In Pune, BJP candidates Manjusha Nagpure and Shrikant Jagtap were elected unopposed from Ward No 35 after their rivals withdrew from the race. Both leaders had previously represented the same ward during the 2017–2022 municipal term.
Reacting to the developments, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol said the unopposed victories reflected public support for the party’s governance. He also expressed confidence that the next mayor of Pune would be from the BJP, stating that the party has set a target of winning 125 seats in the civic body.
BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said the results highlighted the party’s growing influence in urban local governance across Maharashtra. Party leaders attributed it to the popularity of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the organisational strategy led by state BJP president Ravindra Chavan.
However, the opposition has raised sharp objections. The Shiv Sena alleged that democracy was being weakened through pressure tactics and inducements. MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the ruling alliance of intimidating opposition candidates using central agencies or influencing withdrawals through bribes, while also criticising the Election Commission for remaining silent.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the politically significant Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will take place on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16.
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