Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday confirmed that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance will contest the upcoming local body elections together, while also acknowledging that “friendly fights” may occur in places where seat-sharing talks don’t yield results.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating irrigation and power generation projects, Fadnavis said the state BJP president, working president, and the election committee are authorised to take decisions regarding local polls. Civic elections for multiple municipal corporations—including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)—have been pending for over three years.
The Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. Fadnavis reiterated the unity of the three parties and said while the alliance aims to contest jointly, “there will be friendly fights wherever a tie-up does not work out.”
Responding to questions about Prahar Janshakti Party leader Bachhu Kadu’s ongoing hunger strike over farmers’ issues, Fadnavis said district guardian minister Chandrashekar Bawankule would engage with Kadu soon.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi inquiring about Sharad Pawar’s health during a recent meeting with all-party delegates, Fadnavis remarked that despite ideological differences, humanity and sensitivity still have a place in Indian politics. “We are adversaries, not enemies,” he added, calling it a hallmark of strong democracy.
Later at a BJP rally in the city, Fadnavis appealed to the public to extend the same support in the upcoming local body elections as they did in last year’s assembly polls, asserting that the state government remains stable and the alliance intact.
