As Maharashtra braces for the upcoming local body polls, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed strong confidence in the ruling Mahayuti alliance, projecting a significant victory in the mayoral elections. Fadnavis asserted that the alliance is set to secure control in 27 out of 29 municipal corporations across the state, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expected to emerge as the single-largest party in urban local bodies.
Fadnavis has emphasized that the foundation of the BJP's ideology remains Hindutva, which he considers inseparable from the agenda of development. He believes that the public's trust in the state government and Prime Minister Modi will significantly influence voters. According to Fadnavis, the electorate will prioritize the development-led governance of the Mahayuti alliance over the opposition's rhetoric, stating that voters are more likely to support tangible progress rather than unsubstantiated allegations and taunts.
The Mahayuti alliance, a political coalition in Maharashtra, includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), along with other parties such as the Republican Party of India (Athawale) and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha. The alliance has seen several shifts in its composition over the years. While the BJP and Shiv Sena share a long-standing ideological affinity, internal tensions led to Shiv Sena's departure in 2019. However, the alliance was revived in 2022, with a faction of Shiv Sena rejoining the Mahayuti. Later, in 2023, a faction of the NCP led by Ajit Pawar also joined the government.
Recent local body and municipal elections have already indicated the dominance of the MahaYuti alliance, particularly the coalition between the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. Voters have consistently expressed their trust in the alliance, while the MahaVikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition has struggled to recover from losses. The alliance secured a significant victory in the assembly elections earlier this year, winning 235 seats compared to the MVA's 50.
Analysts suggest that Mahayuti's focus on development, direct engagement, and transparent governance has been key to its repeated victories. The alliance's emphasis on grassroots engagement and development projects has resonated with voters, especially the younger generation and urban residents who prioritize trust and visible action. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reinforced voter confidence through a hands-on strategy, personally addressing citizen concerns and engaging directly with local leaders.
Despite the overall unity, some friction has surfaced within the Mahayuti alliance. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have recently engaged in some sparring over governance and corruption allegations. The BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP are contesting the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls separately, though both sides have agreed to maintain a friendly approach.
The upcoming polls for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other municipal corporations are scheduled for January 15, with counting on January 16. These elections are particularly significant as they mark the first since the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena and will determine control of the country's richest civic body. With a large number of seats at stake and a substantial electorate, the outcome of these elections will be a crucial test for the Mahayuti alliance and its vision for development-led governance.
