Ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra local polls, tensions are simmering between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena, two major constituents of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, over alleged poaching of leaders. The friction has raised concerns about the stability of the alliance and its potential impact on the local elections scheduled for December.

The Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has accused the BJP of inducting Sena leaders into their party, particularly in the Kalyan-Dombivli region, ahead of the local body polls. This move has reportedly upset the Shinde camp, with senior Sena leaders expressing their displeasure to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Pratap Sarnaik, a senior Shinde Sena leader and minister, confirmed that the issue of the BJP poaching Sena leaders was brought to the attention of the Chief Minister.

In response to the Sena's concerns, an informal, unwritten agreement was reportedly reached between the BJP and the Shinde Sena to refrain from poaching each other's members. This "no-poaching pact" aimed to ease tensions within the Mahayuti alliance and ensure smoother coordination during the local elections.

However, the truce appears to be fragile. Just days after the no-poaching agreement, the BJP inducted three more Sena functionaries, one from Ambernath and two from Sambhajinagar, further escalating tensions. The induction of Roopsingh Dhal, a veteran Shiv Sainik from Ambernath, in the presence of Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan, drew a sharp reaction from Sena cabinet minister Sanjay Shirsat, who warned of consequences if the poaching did not stop.

Chandrashekhar Bawankule, a BJP minister, downplayed the issue, stating that any differences within the Mahayuti alliance during the poll campaign would be resolved after the election results on December 3. He also dismissed rumors of a boycott by Sena ministers, attributing their absence from a cabinet meeting to campaigning for local polls. Bawankule has also stated that the opposition is questioning top BJP leaders campaigning for local polls because it has neither leaders nor any agenda to fight the BJP.

The BJP, on the other hand, has alleged that the Shinde Sena initially inducted BJP members in Ulhasnagar, triggering the current conflict. According to party insiders, the BJP aims to build a base across 355 talukas to secure an absolute majority in the state in the future, viewing local body wins as crucial for driving development programs and ensuring uniformity in governance.

The opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), have accused the BJP of misusing power in the local body elections to undermine the opposition. They argue that the BJP's focus on controlling everything from the Centre undermines the objective of local politics, which is to empower people at the grassroots level.

The local polls in Maharashtra have become a battleground for political supremacy, with the BJP aiming to expand its base and the Shiv Sena striving to maintain its hold. The alleged poaching incidents have added fuel to the fire, creating a challenging environment for the Mahayuti alliance. With the elections just around the corner, it remains to be seen whether the BJP and Shiv Sena can resolve their differences and work together to secure victory, or if the internal strife will impact their performance at the polls.