Mahayuti Alliance to Contest MMR Local Body Polls in Strategic Split

BJP, Shiv Sena to join hands in some corporations, fight independently in others to avoid internal friction

Mumbai, Oct 2025 : To prevent dissent among allies ahead of next year’s local body elections, the ruling Mahayuti alliance has decided to adopt a selective strategy in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena would contest jointly in Panvel, Vasai-Virar, and Kalyan-Dombivali municipal corporations, while they may fight separately in Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayander. The status of Bhiwandi and Ulhasnagar remains undecided.

Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra are scheduled for January, with all three Mahayuti partners set for a “friendly contest.” Since forming Mahayuti 2.0 last year, the alliance has focused on inducting local leaders from rival parties to strengthen their base. The BJP has reportedly informed the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) that it will contest independently in strongholds such as Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur, and Mira-Bhayander, where it enjoys an electoral advantage.

Fadnavis stressed that local body elections require flexible alliances. He pointed out that despite sharing power at the state and Centre, the BJP and Shiv Sena have historically contested separately in cities like Mumbai and Thane to avoid internal conflicts. With both parties strong in Thane and Navi Mumbai, a joint contest could lead to rebellion, he added, effectively curbing the BJP’s expansion plans in Thane, traditionally the bastion of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The Thane elections will be left to Shinde’s discretion. A BJP leader noted that contesting jointly could spark friction as both parties have significant support, and denied tickets might push candidates toward the opposition. Similar dynamics exist in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, where the BJP and NCP are evenly matched.

The strategic plan also addresses the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), where the Thackeray brothers are forming an alliance. The BJP is expected to allocate 60–70 seats to Shiv Sena, while the NCP and Ramdas Athawale’s Republican Party of India may receive around 10 seats each. The BJP itself will contest 155–160 seats, aiming for over 120 in the 227-seat civic body. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed that local circumstances will guide seat-sharing decisions.

During the discussion, Fadnavis backed a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Maharashtra, criticizing opposition parties for resisting the initiative while demanding voter list reforms. He said the BJP plans to present data showing discrepancies in opposition constituencies and alleged that repeat voters benefited rival parties in the previous assembly elections.

The Mahayuti alliance’s selective strategy highlights its focus on consolidating power in key MMR municipal corporations while managing internal party dynamics, ensuring a careful balance between collaboration and independent contests.