Sixty-eight candidates fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its Mahayuti allies are on course to be elected unopposed in Maharashtra’s civic elections scheduled for January 15, a development that has sharpened political tempers and prompted allegations of arm-twisting from rival parties. With the deadline for withdrawal of nominations passing without challenges in these wards, the ruling alliance has projected the outcome as a sign of organisational strength, while the Opposition has accused it of using intimidation and financial inducements to thin the contest.The unopposed seats span multiple municipal councils and nagar panchayats across the state, according to party officials tracking the filings. Leaders of the Mahayuti, which brings together the BJP, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, argue that the absence of contest reflects a lack of credible alternatives and confidence in the alliance’s local governance record. They point to coordinated candidate selection and seat-sharing as factors that discouraged fragmentation and strengthened prospects at the ward level.
Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray, have rejected that narrative. They contend that withdrawals were engineered through pressure on candidates and their families, alongside offers of money or future political accommodation. Several Opposition leaders have said the pattern of withdrawals—often clustered in wards considered competitive—raises questions about the fairness of the process and the ability of grassroots contestants to campaign freely.
The allegations have brought renewed focus on the conduct of local elections in Maharashtra, where civic bodies wield significant influence over urban services and local contracts. Municipal councils and nagar panchayats control budgets for water supply, sanitation, roads and local licensing, making them attractive arenas for political consolidation. Unopposed victories, while lawful, tend to draw scrutiny because they remove the test of a public vote and can be read as a barometer of the political climate.
Senior figures in the ruling alliance have dismissed the claims as sour grapes, saying withdrawals are a recognised feature of local contests where smaller parties reassess viability. They argue that Opposition candidates often lack the organisational depth to sustain campaigns and choose to step aside rather than face defeat. Alliance leaders have also stressed that election authorities oversee the nomination and withdrawal process, leaving little room for impropriety.
Election officials have confirmed that nominations and withdrawals were conducted in line with statutory timelines and procedures. Officials maintain that candidates are free to withdraw for any reason before the deadline and that complaints, if any, must be lodged with evidence. At the same time, the code of conduct provides avenues for redress if intimidation or inducements are proven, a point Opposition parties say they are considering as they weigh legal options.
The episode fits into a broader political context shaped by last year’s realignment of parties in Maharashtra. The split within the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party, followed by their factions joining hands with the BJP, has altered equations at every level of governance. For the Mahayuti, unopposed wins bolster the claim that the alliance has stabilised local politics and expanded its footprint beyond the assembly and parliamentary arenas.
For the Opposition, the concern extends beyond the tally of seats. Leaders warn that a shrinking space for competitive local elections weakens democratic participation and discourages new entrants. They also argue that municipal politics, often driven by local issues rather than ideology, should remain open to contest to ensure accountability.