Mahayuti wins 68 municipal seats unopposed ahead of Maharashtra civic polls 2026 as opposition alleges pressure and the Election Commission orders a probe.
New Delhi: The ruling Mahayuti alliance gained a major early advantage in Maharashtra’s long-delayed municipal corporation elections by winning 68 seats unopposed, even before voting began. Opposition candidates withdrew their nominations, leaving these wards without any contest.
The State Election Commission (SEC) confirmed the development on January 2, after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations. With one additional uncontested seat going to the Islam Party in Malegaon, the total number of unopposed seats has reached 69.
Voting for the remaining seats will take place on January 15 across 29 municipal corporations, covering 2,869 wards.
BJP Leads, Sena and NCP Follow
Out of the 68 unopposed seats won by Mahayuti, the BJP claimed 44, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) won 22, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP secured 2 seats.
Several key cities and towns saw large numbers of uncontested wins:
• Kalyan-Dombivli: 22 seats (15 BJP, 7 Sena)
• Jalgaon: 12 seats shared equally by BJP and Sena
• Panvel: 6 BJP seats
• Pune: 2 BJP seats
• Bhiwandi: 6 BJP seats
• Thane: 6 Sena seats
Smaller gains were also reported from Dhule, Ahmednagar, Mumbai, and Nashik.
Civic Polls Delayed for Years
Authorities are holding these municipal elections after a delay of two to three years. Most civic bodies completed their terms between 2020 and 2022, but the government postponed the polls due to the COVID-19 pandemic, court cases over OBC reservation, and disputes over ward boundaries.
Appointed administrators ran the municipal corporations during this period, prompting citizens to complain about slow development and lack of accountability.
Ruling Alliance Credits Popularity
Leaders from the ruling alliance said the uncontested wins reflected their growing public support. BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said opposition candidates withdrew because they realised they stood little chance against Mahayuti candidates.
He rejected allegations of pressure or wrongdoing, saying the opposition was using excuses to hide its weak ground presence.
Opposition Alleges Pressure and Intimidation
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has strongly objected to the unopposed wins. Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress have alleged that candidates were forced to withdraw using money power and threats.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called the development “an attack on democracy” and said voters were denied the right to choose their representatives. Aaditya Thackeray also claimed that intimidation was used across several cities.
Congress leaders alleged that pressure was put on returning officers to delay or reject opposition nominations.
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Incidents Add to Controversy
Several incidents during the nomination process added to the controversy. In Pune, a Shiv Sena worker allegedly tore and swallowed a colleague’s nomination form during an internal dispute. In Jalgaon, some opposition candidates reportedly moved out of the city after claiming they faced threats.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also staged protests in Thane, questioning how such a large number of seats could go uncontested.
Election Commission Orders Inquiry
Following the allegations, the State Election Commission has ordered a detailed inquiry. Reports have been sought from police officials, municipal commissioners, and returning officers to check if any pressure or inducement was involved.
The final declaration of winners in uncontested seats has been kept on hold until the inquiry is completed.
Debate Over Fairness as Poll Day Nears
As Maharashtra heads toward polling day on January 15, the issue has sparked a wider debate on the fairness of local body elections. While Mahayuti has gained a clear early advantage, opposition parties say the incident has weakened public trust in the democratic process.
Whether the controversy impacts voter turnout and political equations in the remaining seats will become clear once polling concludes.
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