Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 1: With tensions escalating between the BJP and Shiv Sena during the recently concluded municipal council and nagar panchayat elections, the BJP’s top leadership in Delhi is preparing to intervene to prevent the conflict from damaging the alliance ahead of the upcoming municipal corporation polls.
The rift within the ruling Mahayuti alliance surfaced prominently during the local body poll campaign. Although these elections were seen as a test for grassroots workers, it was the senior leaders who clashed openly. In Sindhudurg, a confrontation erupted between Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane and BJP state president Ravindra Chavan. Rane even released a video alleging BJP’s involvement in money distribution, after which Chavan made a pointed remark saying, “I want this alliance to survive only till the 2nd.”
Chavan later sharpened his attack during a rally in western Maharashtra, citing former deputy chief minister R. R. Patil's famous quote: “Number one is always number one; number two has no value.” He added another jibe: “Jo bhali kuch hai Devabhau hi hai,” further deepening the tension between the partners.
Sources in the BJP told Mata that the party’s central leadership has now decided to step in and mediate between Maharashtra BJP and Shiv Sena leadership to ensure harmony within the alliance.
Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has chosen to firmly stand with the BJP. Reacting to Chavan’s remarks, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare said that regardless of what happens after December 3, the NCP will continue to support Devendra Fadnavis and the NDA.
Over the next month, elections to district councils will be followed by polls to 29 municipal corporations, considered mini-assemblies. Seat-sharing disputes—already brewing—are expected to intensify, especially in major corporations such as Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Local leaders privately admit that in Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli, both parties might end up contesting against each other if no timely solution is found.
A senior BJP minister disclosed that once the municipal council and nagar panchayat results are out, the central BJP leadership will directly initiate talks with BJP and Shiv Sena leaders in Maharashtra to defuse the situation. As per an internal party survey, BJP expects to win over 170 municipal council chief posts, reaffirming its dominant position as the alliance’s “big brother.”
However, despite this expected edge, BJP acknowledges that keeping Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP together is crucial to keep the MVA out of power. Hence, the upcoming mediation by the central leadership is seen as vital for the alliance’s stability ahead of high-stakes civic polls.