The municipal elections across Maharashtra, including the pivotal BMC and 29 other municipal bodies, have drastically altered the alliance landscape. The BJP-led Grand Alliance and the opposing Maha Vikas Aghadi are witnessing internal fractures. Surprisingly, a new third coalition appears to be taking shape in the state.
The BJP maintained its tie with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena while distancing itself from Ajit Pawar's NCP. Consequently, Ajit Pawar has partnered with his uncle Sharad Pawar's party. In Mumbai, Congress parted ways with the Grand Alliance aligned with Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, opting instead to join hands with the Thackeray Brothers in Pune.
Mumbai's municipal corporation, commonly known as BMC, and Pune's PMC are two critical battlegrounds where three distinct alliances vie for victory.
The BJP-Shinde First Alliance
Under the leadership of CM Devendra Fadnavis, the Grand Alliance in Maharashtra comprised BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP. While they united for the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections, this camaraderie faltered in the municipal polls. Despite Ajit Pawar serving as Deputy CM in the Fadnavis government along with several ministers from his party, the BJP decided to leave him out in the cold for the BMC and other municipal elections.
The BJP's alliance with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena will contest 29 municipal elections, including the BMC, while Ajit Pawar's NCP is not part of the Grand Alliance in this election. From Mumbai to Nagpur and Pune, the BJP and Shinde are vigorously campaigning together, making this the first coalition in Maharashtra where the BJP and Shiv Sena unite. Fadnavis has reiterated that Shiv Sena is the BJP's natural ally.
The Pawar Family's Strategic Move
After being sidelined by the Grand Alliance, Ajit Pawar has devised an independent strategy. His NCP is set to go solo in Mumbai's BMC elections, while aligning with his uncle Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections.
Though Sharad Pawar's party was a part of the opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi, it chose a different path in these municipal elections. While keeping its cards close in Mumbai, Ajit Pawar's party joined hands with his uncle's faction in Pune.
Ajit Pawar, Pune's overseeing minister, faces a pivotal challenge to his reputation, prompting him to team up with Sharad Pawar's party for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections. Talks on seat sharing between the two parties were held on Thursday.
It is speculated that Sharad Pawar's party has requested 40 to 45 seats, while Ajit Pawar's NCP is willing to offer 30. Should the Pawar family's political alliance succeed in Pune, it could extend to other municipalities, marking the formation of a secondary alliance.
Congress Joins Forces with the Thackeray Brothers
Aware of the evolving political chemistry between Ajit Pawar's alliance with Sharad Pawar and the BJP-Shinde dynamic, Congress decided to ally with the Thackeray Brothers in Pune. Despite distancing itself from the Uddhav and Raj Thackeray coalition in Mumbai's BMC elections, Congress has agreed to partner with the Thackeray Brothers for the PMC elections in Pune.
In these elections, Congress will collaborate with Uddhav's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. The coalition proposal was officially extended to Shiv Sena (UBT) by Congress itself. By Friday, seat sharing among the three parties will be finalized. Pune's municipal corporation comprises 41 wards and 165 councilor seats that the coalition will contest.
The formation of a third local alliance in Maharashtra sees Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and MNS banding together. Congress has made it clear it will not form an alliance with Ajit Pawar's faction in Pune. Although Ajit Pawar had attempted to negotiate a coalition with Congress, the latter, represented by leader Mohan Joshi, confirmed the core committee's decision in Mumbai to partner with Shiv Sena (UBT), with seat allotment agreements to follow shortly.
