Amid rising speculation over tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling alliance, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday openly acknowledged a strain in ties with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The acknowledgment came in the context of the ongoing Maharashtra local body elections, where reports of so-called “friendly fights” between the two top leaders have caught public attention.

Shinde admitted to a recent exchange of allegations with Fadnavis but emphasized that these disagreements were minor by-products of highly localised contests rather than an indication of a broader political rift. “Yes, it’s true that I made allegations against the CM, and he also made allegations against me,” Shinde told reporters. “But you need to understand that these elections are local elections, which are fought on very local issues and by local party workers. Big political issues do not need to be brought up. Workers like to see their senior leadership join them in election campaigns.”

As the chief of Shiv Sena, Shinde clarified that the dynamics of local elections sometimes necessitate that BJP and Sena workers campaign together, and at other times separately, depending on the locality. He stressed that such friction should not be mistaken for a breakdown in the alliance, pointing out that party leaders had deliberately avoided “below-the-belt remarks” and had adhered to the dharma of coalition politics. “If we adhere to the alliance dharma, our only expectation is that the other partners also adhere to it. That is it,” he said.

Fadnavis, on the other hand, sought to distance himself from the controversy, downplaying the “friendly fights” and reiterating his focus on supporting candidates of his party. “These are local body elections where our workers contest and work the hardest,” he said. “It is our responsibility to come and support them. I have not made comments against anyone, not even opponents. I only campaign in support of our candidates.” The chief minister emphasized that local issues, development priorities, and worker-driven campaigning should remain the central focus, rather than political sparring among senior leaders.

While the alliance leaders sought to project unity, the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) was compelled to postpone elections for several municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Pune district. The postponement came after district courts delivered key verdicts later than the deadlines mandated by the SEC. Appeals related to membership disqualification and reservation disputes were originally supposed to be resolved by November 22. However, rulings on crucial appeals—such as those concerning the President’s posts in Baramati Municipal Council and Fursungi-Uruli Devachi Municipal Council—were delivered only on November 26, four days past the cutoff. Orders tied to member seats in both councils were also issued after the deadline. Citing these delays, the SEC postponed the general elections, including both president and member seats for these councils, with voting now scheduled for December 20.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra is set to vote on Tuesday in a significant phase of local body elections, covering 242 municipal councils and 46 nagar panchayats. This forms part of a three-tier election cycle mandated by the Supreme Court to conclude all pending local body polls by January 31, 2026. The elections will decide 6,859 members and 288 council presidents, with over 1.07 crore voters eligible to cast ballots at 13,355 polling stations. Over 66,000 election officials have been deployed, and electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used throughout.

Political analysts note that the December 2 polls will be a key indicator of public sentiment following the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s sweeping victory in the November 2024 assembly elections, where it secured 235 of 288 seats. Early indications suggest that the BJP has already secured gains, winning 100 councillor seats and three municipal president posts unopposed. However, it has faced criticism in Loha Nagar Parishad (Nanded) for fielding multiple candidates from the same family, raising questions about candidate selection and local governance ethics.

Observers also point out that the results will test whether the Mahayuti’s statewide momentum carries over to local governance, or if the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (comprising Shiv Sena UBT, NCP SP, and Congress) can reclaim ground at the municipal level. Counting of votes is scheduled for December 3, and political commentators expect that outcomes in strategic councils could influence future electoral strategies and alliance dynamics in Maharashtra.

The acknowledgment by Shinde of “friendly fights” with Fadnavis reflects a nuanced understanding of coalition politics in Maharashtra, where localised disputes and campaign dynamics can sometimes be misconstrued as signs of major cracks. Both leaders have emphasized that the focus must remain on grassroots issues, including civic development and public welfare, rather than personal differences or political theatrics.

The Maharashtra civic polls, with their large scale and high stakes, are being closely watched not only for immediate outcomes but also for what they reveal about the working dynamics within the state’s ruling alliance. Analysts suggest that the elections will offer a litmus test for both the Mahayuti and the opposition, highlighting strengths and weaknesses in candidate deployment, campaign strategy, and voter outreach at the local level.

In summary, while the media and political opponents have highlighted alleged tensions between Shinde and Fadnavis, both leaders have framed the issue as a natural consequence of intensely localised election battles. The official narrative stresses adherence to alliance dharma, constructive campaigning, and the prioritization of local governance issues. At the same time, administrative developments, including the postponement of Pune district polls due to delayed court orders, underscore the complex logistical and judicial environment surrounding the elections.

With over a million voters set to participate across Maharashtra’s municipal councils and nagar panchayats, the results of the December 2 elections are expected to offer insight into the state’s political trajectory, the durability of the Mahayuti coalition, and the capacity of local bodies to reflect broader political trends in governance and public sentiment.