Pune, Maharashtra | 12 January 2026

Tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance have spilled into the open as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis exchanged sharp jabs ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other civic body elections, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Polling is scheduled for 15 January, with counting on 16 January, and over 3.48 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes.

The latest confrontation came after Pawar responded to Fadnavis’ remarks during the Pimpri-Chinchwad campaign. Ajit Pawar, addressing the media after unveiling his NCP-SP alliance manifesto, insisted that his criticism targeted governance lapses in civic administration rather than personal attacks. Pawar accused the BJP of corruption and unfulfilled promises in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, citing irregularities in Slum Rehabilitation Authority projects and inflated costs in infrastructure projects. He also unveiled a range of election promises, including property tax waivers, free bus and metro travel, better roads, modern healthcare, model schools, free tablets for students, and interest-free loans for women completing skill training.

Fadnavis hit back sharply, asserting, “Ajit dada talks, I work,” and emphasising that his government prioritises performance over rhetoric. Criticising Pawar’s alliance manifesto, Fadnavis described promises such as free metro travel as unrealistic, highlighting that metro fares are fixed by statutory committees involving the Centre and the state. He also took a dig at NCP candidates with alleged criminal backgrounds, warning that even if elected, “their place will be in jail, not in the municipal corporation office.”

With 2,869 seats up for grabs in Maharashtra’s civic polls, the exchanges underscore the high stakes, especially in the BMC, the country’s wealthiest municipal body. Observers note that these elections are pivotal post the 2022 Shiv Sena split, with alliances fraying and rhetoric sharpening as parties battle to consolidate voter support amid allegations of bogus entries in electoral rolls.

Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis Lock Horns Ahead of Crucial Maharashtra Civic Polls

Tensions in Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance have surfaced ahead of the BMC and 28 municipal elections, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, scheduled for 15 January. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and CM Devendra Fadnavis traded barbs over governance, corruption, and election promises, raising the stakes in one of the state’s most high-profile civic polls.

Ajit Pawar accused the BJP of misgovernance during its previous term in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, citing unfulfilled promises, irregularities in slum rehabilitation projects, and cost escalations in infrastructure. Pawar’s alliance unveiled a poll manifesto promising property tax waivers, free bus and metro travel, improved roads, better healthcare, model schools, and interest-free loans for women completing skill training.

Fadnavis hit back, saying, “Ajit dada talks, I work,” highlighting the BJP’s focus on performance over rhetoric. He dismissed Pawar’s freebies as unrealistic, especially citing metro fare waivers that cannot be implemented without statutory approvals, and criticised candidates with alleged criminal backgrounds fielded by Pawar’s alliance.

With 2,869 seats and over 3.48 crore voters at stake, the civic elections are being closely watched, particularly the BMC race, which will test political alliances post the 2022 Shiv Sena split. Analysts predict the war of words between Pawar and Fadnavis will intensify as parties push to consolidate voter support amid electoral controversies.