BJP, Shiv Sena sweep 66 seats unopposed
On the final withdrawal day, many rival candidates stepped aside, clearing the way for BJP and Shiv Sena victories
Before a single vote has been cast in Maharashtra’s long-delayed municipal corporation elections, the political landscape has already tilted sharply in favour of the ruling alliance. The BJP–Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) combine has secured 66 wards unopposed, while Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has won two, taking the total number of uncontested seats to 68 across several civic bodies in the state.
The results emerged on Friday, the final day for the withdrawal of nomination forms. declared winners without a contest. For voters, it meant that in dozens of wards, the election was decided before polling booths could even open.
The development has triggered sharp political reactions. Opposition parties, particularly the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), alleged that the withdrawals were not voluntary. They accused the ruling dispensation of using money power and intimidation to force opposition candidates out of the race. These allegations have added a layer of controversy to an election process that was already under scrutiny due to repeated delays in holding civic polls.
Responding to the complaints, the State Election Commission has ordered an inquiry to determine whether candidates were pressured or induced to withdraw their nominations. Officials said the probe would examine individual cases and assess whether the withdrawals violated electoral norms. While the ruling alliance has denied the allegations, the inquiry is expected to keep the issue alive in the political discourse over the coming days.
The biggest concentration of uncontested victories has come from the politically crucial Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The civic body is seen as a key battleground ahead of future state and national elections, making the scale of the ruling alliance’s early gains particularly significant.
In neighbouring Thane district, considered the home turf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Shiv Sena faction led by him managed to secure six uncontested victories. This came despite visible strains in its relationship with the BJP at the local level, underlining the organisational strength of the ruling alliance even amid internal frictions. However, the developments also sparked street-level protests.
Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena staged a demonstration in Thane, questioning both the process and the intent behind the mass withdrawals. MNS leaders alleged that the spirit of democratic competition was being undermined, arguing that civic elections—meant to reflect grassroots opinion—were being reduced to administrative formalities. Similar concerns were echoed by leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT), who warned that unopposed wins erode public faith in local democracy.
Political analysts say the uncontested victories will provide a morale boost to the ruling alliance, which recently notched up a near clean sweep in municipal council elections across the state. “These wins reinforce the perception of momentum,” said a Mumbai-based political observer. “They also send a signal to cadres and fence-sitters that the ruling alliance is firmly in control at the grassroots level.”
There are also practical advantages. With dozens of wards already decided, the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP can divert resources, leaders, and campaign machinery to more competitive constituencies. In a sprawling state like Maharashtra, where civic elections stretch organisational capacity, uncontested wins free up time and money—both critical assets in an extended election cycle.
At the same time, critics argue that such victories come at a cost. Municipal corporations play a crucial role in urban governance, overseeing water supply, sanitation, roads, and public health. When representatives are elected without a contest, residents lose an opportunity to weigh alternatives, question candidates, and hold leaders accountable through the ballot.
The controversy also highlights broader concerns about the state of local elections in Maharashtra. Civic polls have been delayed for years due to legal challenges, ward delimitation issues, and political disputes. As a result, many municipal bodies have been run by administrators rather than elected representatives, weakening local self-governance.
For now, the ruling alliance is projecting confidence, describing the uncontested wins as proof of popular support and organisational reach. Opposition parties, meanwhile, are framing the episode as a warning sign for democracy at the grassroots. Much will depend on the outcome of the Election Commission’s inquiry—and on how voters respond when polling does take place in the remaining wards.
As Maharashtra moves deeper into its civic election season, the early sweep without a single vote cast has set the tone: one of dominance for the ruling alliance, but also of deepening political distrust over how that dominance is being achieved.