In a surprising turn of events ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena coalition have secured a significant advantage, winning 66 seats uncontested. This development occurred on Friday, the last day for withdrawal of nomination forms, as candidates from other parties and alliances pulled out of the race. The unopposed victories have sparked discussions and raised questions about the dynamics of the upcoming elections.

The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation, a crucial region in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), accounts for the highest number of these uncontested wins. Out of the 66 seats, 21 belong to the Mahayuti alliance, with 15 from the BJP and six from Shiv Sena. Jalgaon in North Maharashtra, a politically significant area for both parties, contributed a dozen corporators, with six wins each for the BJP and Shiv Sena. The trend continues in Panvel, another part of the MMR, where seven BJP candidates have been elected without opposition. Additionally, the BJP secured six uncontested victories in Bhiwandi, a stronghold of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) for some time.

Across Maharashtra, the BJP has emerged as the biggest gainer, with 44 candidates elected unopposed. Shiv Sena follows with 22 seats. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP has secured two unopposed wins in Jalgaon, while the Islamic Party has one in Malegaon.

These unopposed victories have occurred amidst strenuous efforts by the ruling parties to persuade rebel candidates to withdraw their nominations. Dramatic scenes unfolded across the state, from Nashik to Solapur and Mumbai to Nagpur. Tensions flared, even resulting in the death of a political worker in Solapur following clashes between two groups within the BJP. In Nashik, the BJP faced backlash from party workers over ticket allocations to outsiders, leading to heated arguments during the withdrawal process.

Despite efforts by BJP leadership in Mumbai, five party rebels remained in the fray from various wards. Similarly, the Thackeray brothers were unable to convince rebels to withdraw in approximately nine wards. In Bhiwandi, the alliance between the Thackeray factions dissolved, with both sides filing nominations against each other.

In Panvel, the withdrawal of seven Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates led to BJP candidates being elected unopposed. In Nagpur, a BJP rebel candidate was reportedly confined to his house by supporters after a BJP leader was sent to persuade him to withdraw, ultimately complying with the party's directive. Within the Congress, efforts were made to convince party rebels to withdraw, with promises of larger organizational roles.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, despite protests by BJP workers, several rebels withdrew their nominations, except for one who had earlier attempted self-immolation.

With major polling for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra scheduled for January 15, these unopposed wins have given the BJP and Shiv Sena an early advantage. These developments raise questions about the democratic process and the influence of political maneuvering in local body elections.