Political observers suggest that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena may contest the upcoming civic elections in Thane and Navi Mumbai separately. This potential fracture of the alliance, known as Mahayuti, stems from a deepening divide and mutual allegations between the two parties as the local elections approach.
Several factors contribute to this growing rift. Firstly, a turf war has escalated between Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena, and BJP strongman Ganesh Naik. Naik has previously criticized Shinde and proclaimed himself the "tallest political leader in Thane district". Shinde has responded by launching a political and administrative offensive in Navi Mumbai, a region considered Naik's stronghold. This includes inducting local leaders who have campaigned against Naik's dynastic politics into his camp.
The Shinde-Naik rivalry has intensified in recent weeks, signaling a potential direct contest between the two leaders. Shiv Sena leaders have reacted sharply to Naik's remarks, with some threatening to abandon the "alliance dharma" if such attacks continue. Sena's Thane MP Naresh Mhaske criticized Naik's comments against Shinde and stated that Sena is ready to contest the civic polls alone if BJP continues to attack Shinde. Vijay Chougule, a Sena politician from Navi Mumbai, highlighted the disparity in influence between the two leaders, noting that Shinde commands a much larger following across Maharashtra compared to Naik's local presence.
Secondly, the demarcation of wards in Thane and Navi Mumbai has sparked disputes within the Mahayuti alliance. Supporters of Ganesh Naik have accused Sena of "political surgery," claiming that the ward drafts were designed to weaken Naik's control over Navi Mumbai. Similarly, BJP leaders in Thane have complained that the draft favors Sena's dominance in the region.
Thirdly, both parties appear to be strategically positioning themselves to expand their influence in each other's strongholds. Shinde has been actively working to strengthen Shiv Sena's base in Navi Mumbai, aiming to capture power in the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have expressed their desire to contest the Thane civic poll independently, with Ganesh Naik asserting that the BJP can win on its own.
Despite these tensions, some local BJP leaders in Thane have expressed openness to an alliance with the Sena, provided that the BJP receives a respectable number of seats in the seat-sharing agreement. Thane BJP chief Sandeep Lele stated that the BJP should contest seats based on its performance and vote share in the assembly elections.
However, other voices within the BJP are pushing for a solo contest. During a recent meeting in Navi Mumbai, former corporators urged Ganesh Naik to pursue contesting the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation election independently. They also voiced concerns about Shinde's style of working and decided to approach Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to request the BJP to contest the civic polls in Navi Mumbai on its own.
While Chief Minister Fadnavis has affirmed that the Mahayuti alliance will contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections together, the decision regarding alliances in other municipal bodies like Thane and Navi Mumbai will depend on the local political situation. Sources within the BJP have indicated that the party is open to an alliance with Shiv Sena and NCP in the BMC polls but feels that a tie-up will hurt them in most parts of the state because of recent controversies involving Sena and NCP leaders.
The BJP's desire to contest independently stems from its ambition to expand its footprint in Maharashtra and strengthen its network. Some within the party believe that going solo in local body elections will serve as a "dress rehearsal" for the 2029 assembly elections. The BJP is currently the single-largest party in the state assembly and aims to secure a majority on its own in the future.
