Ahead of Maharashtra’s upcoming civic elections, the Mahayuti alliance has broken down in the Latur and Jalna municipal corporations, with the constituent parties announcing their decision to contest the elections separately.
In Latur, the BJP, which had been in talks with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for seat-sharing, confirmed it would contest all 70 seats.
BJP's Latur civic poll in-charge, MLA Sambhajirao Patil Nilangekar, stated that the party had made genuine efforts to form an alliance with the NCP.
However, the talks fell apart due to interference from lower-ranking party officials, despite senior NCP leaders like Minister Babasaheb Patil, former minister Sanjay Bansode, and MLC Vikram Kale expressing their willingness to join forces.
Meanwhile, in Jalna Municipal Corporation (JMC), the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP have all opted to go solo in the elections. The NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, announced its decision to contest independently, accusing the BJP and Shiv Sena of sidelining the party.
Arvind Chavan, NCP’s Jalna district president and former MLA, claimed that the BJP and Shiv Sena had held seat-sharing discussions without inviting his party’s representatives.
"Our party was ignored despite its strong organisational presence. We were not given the respect we deserve, so we have decided to contest independently and show our strength," Chavan remarked.
The BJP and Shiv Sena also failed to reach a seat-sharing agreement, with both parties confirming they would field candidates for all 65 seats in Jalna.
BJP leader and former MLA Kailash Gorantyal said although a seat-sharing formula had initially been discussed, disagreements arose when the Shiv Sena insisted on contesting certain seats claimed by his party.
"As no consensus could be reached, we have decided to contest the elections independently," he said.
Jalna, Maharashtra: BJP leader Kailas Gorantyal says, "..About six days ago, it was decided that the BJP would contest 35 seats and Shiv Sena would contest 30 seats. Preparations were also made accordingly. However, the problem arose at the last moment when Shiv Sena insisted… pic.twitter.com/2AKx624aTn
— IANS (@ians_india) December 30, 2025
Elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra will be held on January 15, with votes to be counted the following day.
