Cracks are deepening within Maharashtra’s Mahayuti alliance as BJP MLAs and ministers have reportedly raised grievances against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to the state.
BJP leaders have accused Pawar, also the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, of supporting candidates who opposed the BJP in the 2024 assembly elections, thereby undermining the party’s standing ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
The friction is especially visible in Western Maharashtra and Marathwada, regions where both the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP hold strong influence. In the 2024 assembly elections, the BJP won 28 of 70 seats in Western Maharashtra, while the NCP secured 15. In Marathwada, the BJP claimed 19 out of 52 seats, with the NCP winning 8.
Despite their coalition, BJP leaders are increasingly concerned that Pawar’s faction is strategically maneuvering to take control of local self-government bodies currently dominated by the BJP in key districts such as Pune, Sangli, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Parbhani, Jalna and Beed.
Sachin Ahir, an MLA from Shiv Sena (UBT), emphasised the growing unrest, stating, “It’s not just the BJP MLAs; the entire cabinet is frustrated with Ajit Pawar. They’re facing a shortage of funds, and their projects are stalled. After years of opposing each other, they’re now forced to work side by side.”
Rohit Pawar, MLA from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, suggested the BJP might be intentionally highlighting dissatisfaction with Ajit Pawar to lay the groundwork for a split ahead of local elections. “Perhaps BJP leaders want their frustration publicised to escalate tensions, paving the way to contest independently,” he said.
However, Ashish Shelar, President of BJP Mumbai, dismissed the issue, stating he had “no information” on any rift. Similarly, Sunil Tatkare, MP and President of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, played down the tension, insisting there is complete coordination among the state’s three key leaders.
Despite such assertions, opposition parties are seizing the moment. Leaders from both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar group) argue that the alliance’s internal rift could hurt their performance in the local elections.
With speculation rising, the BJP may consider contesting the local body elections independently to reinforce its voter base and reclaim dominance in critical districts. The Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, now faces a serious test of unity ahead of the polls.