BJP-Shiv Sena Alliance Under Strain as Maharashtra Municipal Elections Approach

Elections to 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats in Maharashtra are scheduled for December 2.

Mumbai:

Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan stated on Thursday that he wishes to preserve the alliance with Shiv Sena until December 2, when voting for civic councils and nagar panchayats will take place. This comes after Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane alleged voter bribery attempts by alliance partner BJP.

Amid increasing tensions between the two saffron allies within the ruling Mahayuti coalition, Chavan indicated he would address Rane's accusations of cash distribution to voters at a later time, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the alliance through the first phase of local body elections.

Chavan, currently touring Maharashtra for upcoming civic polls, has addressed multiple rallies but avoided directly responding to Nilesh Rane's allegations. On Wednesday, the Sena MLA claimed Chavan had recently visited Sindhudurg district, Rane's home territory, and facilitated cash distribution to influence voters ahead of the December elections.

The Kankavali Municipal Council and Malvan Nagar Panchayat in Sindhudurg district are among the urban local bodies participating in the first phase of polling. Nilesh Rane (Sena) and his brother, Minister Nitesh (BJP), find themselves on opposing sides in these council elections.

Nilesh Rane claimed on Wednesday evening to have conducted a "sting operation" by entering a local BJP worker's residence in Kankavali town, accusing him of storing bags of cash intended for voter inducement. The Sena legislator, whose brother and father are BJP members, shared videos of the alleged incident on social media and approached local police on Thursday seeking registration of an FIR.

When questioned about these allegations, Chavan remarked, "I want to save the alliance till December 2. I will respond to the allegations later." In a statement released late Wednesday night, the state BJP president suggested the Opposition camp was feeling destabilized.

"The sand under their feet is slipping, which is why they are getting nervous. The Opposition (Nilesh Rane) has filed a case against our candidate, alleging issues with her caste certificate," Chavan stated.

The situation is further complicated by the political history between the two families. A few years ago, Nilesh Rane announced his retirement from politics, prompting then-Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to send Chavan, his trusted aide and PWD minister, to pacify him.

While Nilesh won as a Shiv Sena MLA last year, his younger brother Nitesh, a BJP MLA, was inducted into the state cabinet following the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance's strong mandate in the November 2024 assembly elections.

When asked about Chavan's comments regarding the alliance, Shiv Sena's Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister and party head Eknath Shinde, responded, "I do not know what exactly he said. You better ask him whether he wishes to continue the alliance or not." Chavan, also an MLA, represents Thane district's Dombivli assembly constituency within the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat, from which Shrikant Shinde has been elected since 2014.

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated on Thursday that he supported strict legal action if wrongdoing was detected regarding the cash recovered from the BJP worker's residence, but questioned Nilesh Rane's decision to enter the house and conduct a 'sting operation'.

State minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane also rejected his elder brother's allegations, arguing that many political workers have legitimate business income and possessing cash at home should not be misinterpreted.

Nilesh Rane had claimed bags of cash intended for voter distribution were discovered at BJP worker Vijay Kenawadekar's home in Kankavali.

Kenawadekar informed reporters on Thursday, "I am being targeted, my image is being maligned only because I am close to Ravindra Chavan. I have explained the source of the money to the police and will cooperate fully." The allegations, denied by the BJP, have intensified tensions between the saffron allies. The Sena MLA's father Narayan Rane and brother Nitesh are affiliated with the BJP.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Bawankule, a senior BJP leader, questioned, "One also needs to ask whether it is appropriate to directly enter someone's residence, go to that person's bedroom and then claim it is part of a sting operation." Bawankule expressed confusion over Nilesh Rane's actions and emphasized that entering someone's bedroom was "a bit inappropriate".

"The priority is to determine whether the money was connected to business activity, property transactions or something else," Bawankule noted, adding that the Election Commission and police would conduct necessary investigations.

"If wrongdoing is found, there will be appropriate legal action," he warned.

Nitesh Rane, defending BJP worker Kenawadekar, stated that many political workers operate businesses such as crushers and hotels.

"No one should defame the BJP because cash was found at a worker's residence. I do not see any issue with our worker having cash at home," he remarked.

On Wednesday, BJP minister Ashish Shelar also dismissed Nilesh Rane's allegations as false.

Following the incident, election officials and police visited Kenawadekar's residence, who maintained the money was intended for business purposes and unrelated to elections.

Elections to 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats are scheduled for December 2.