BJP Accused of Forcing Unopposed Wins in Maharashtra Civic Polls | Saamana Claims Misuse of Power

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s mouthpiece Saamana has levelled strong allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming the ruling party is manipulating upcoming civic body elections across Maharashtra to secure unopposed victories. The editorial asserts that a widespread pattern of withdrawals and rejected nominations is emerging ahead of municipal council, nagar panchayat, and municipal corporation polls—pending since 2022 and required to be completed before January 31 next year.

According to Saamana, the BJP is allegedly using pressure tactics, money power, threats, and political influence to ensure rivals withdraw their nominations, clearing the field for its own local leaders and their relatives. The article highlights several controversial unopposed victories involving family members of senior BJP leaders.

Among the most prominent examples is Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ cousin, Alhad Kaloti, who was declared elected unopposed in Chikhaldara. The editorial also points to state minister Girish Mahajan’s wife, Sadhna Mahajan, who allegedly secured an unopposed win in Jamner after Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidates reportedly withdrew under pressure. In Dondaicha, minister Jaykumar Rawal’s mother, Naynkunwar Rawal, was similarly elected without contest, with allegations that the rival candidate’s nomination was “mysteriously” rejected. This resulted in 26 candidates in the region winning uncontested.

The editorial further claims that former MLA Rajan Patil influenced results in Anagar (Solapur district), where 17 councillors were elected unopposed.

The Uddhav Sena asserts these developments reflect the BJP’s reluctance to face genuine electoral competition. It accuses the ruling party of transforming even small, local elections into money-driven contests, with the administrative machinery allegedly being used to favour specific outcomes. The piece refers to a recent public speech by senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who reportedly told workers not to worry about campaign spending and assured that the government would “manage” any queries raised by the Election Commission—an argument used to accuse the BJP of misusing its power.

According to the editorial, such incidents highlight a “dangerous pattern” in which opposition nominations are either forcibly withdrawn or rejected on technical grounds. With more than 246 municipalities and 42 nagar panchayats heading into polls, Saamana argues that the BJP is determined to maintain control “at any cost,” even overshadowing alliance partners like Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP.

The editorial concludes that these events raise troubling questions about electoral integrity in Maharashtra and the health of India’s democratic institutions if such practices go unchecked.