Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan denied coercion allegations and affirmed MahaYuti partners will contest civic polls together.
Nagpur
Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan on Friday strongly refuted allegations that the party was pressuring leaders from alliance partners or the Opposition to defect, asserting that the BJP has always followed coalition dharma within the ruling MahaYuti alliance.
Chavan highlighted the accommodative approach of the alliance under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and confirmed that the three constituents — the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP — will jointly contest the upcoming local body elections. These polls, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, must be concluded by January 31, 2026, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
His remarks come at a time of heightened political activity in Maharashtra following public disagreements between BJP and Shiv Sena leaders during elections to 264 local bodies, where both sides fielded competing candidates in several wards.
Addressing the allegations directly, Chavan said, BJP has never coerced anybody from the ruling parties or the Opposition to join us. He countered accusations by pointing out that it was the Shiv Sena that first inducted BJP leaders in Ambernath, sparking the competitive round of political poaching.
Chavan underscored the BJP’s focus on ground-level politics, stating that the party leadership considers local body elections as important as Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. He credited the BJP’s strength to its development agenda and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
His comments follow a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi earlier this week, where he briefed Shah on the political landscape and the party’s organisational preparations for the civic elections. Chavan also met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss strategy and seat-sharing arrangements for municipal corporations in Mumbai, Thane, and neighbouring regions.
