Mumbai/Pune, January 12, 2026: Cracks within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance have spilled into the open as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sparred publicly over governance, corruption, and freebies ahead of the BMC and other civic body elections scheduled for January 15. Counting for all 29 civic bodies, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will take place on January 16.

The confrontation began after Fadnavis made a veiled remark at a Pimpri-Chinchwad rally, suggesting some leaders only become vocal near elections. Pawar hit back, insisting his criticism was focused on governance failures in the Pune civic body and not a personal attack. “I am not criticising the BJP. I am only highlighting mistakes in the PCMC. Pointing out mistakes is not criticism,” he said during a press briefing after unveiling his alliance’s manifesto.

Pawar’s Election Promises and Critiques

Ajit Pawar targeted the BJP’s record in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (2017–2022), alleging corruption, misgovernance, and unfulfilled promises. He cited irregularities in Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects in areas like Ravet and Bhosari and questioned the beneficiaries of transferable development rights. He also claimed that a bridge project had escalated in cost from ₹70 lakh to ₹7 crore.

In response, his NCP-SP alliance manifesto promised sweeping measures for voters:

• Property tax waiver for houses up to 500 sq ft from April 1, 2026
• Scrapping of the draft development plan
• Daily water supply and free bus/metro travel
• Better roads, pollution control, modern healthcare, model schools
• Free tablets for students
• Interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for women completing skill training

Fadnavis Strikes Back: ‘Ajit Dada Talks, I Work’

Fadnavis responded sharply from Pune, asserting that his government prioritises performance over rhetoric. “Ajit dada talks, I work,” he said, pointing out that previous agreements between the BJP and NCP called for a “friendly” contest without personal attacks.

He also mocked promises such as free metro travel, highlighting that fares are fixed by a statutory Fare Fixation Committee, and even the government cannot waive them unilaterally. In a sarcastic jab, he suggested offering free air travel for women in Pune, emphasizing what he called the unrealistic nature of certain poll promises.

Fadnavis further accused the NCP of fielding candidates with criminal backgrounds, warning that “even if elected, their place will be in jail, not in the municipal corporation office.” He contrasted BJP-led development projects, including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana housing schemes, with alleged poor-quality work under previous NCP administrations.

Stakes in the Civic Polls

The BMC election is especially high-stakes, being the first since the 2022 Shiv Sena split, and will determine control of India’s richest civic body. Overall, 2,869 seats across 29 municipal corporations are at stake, with over 3.48 crore voterseligible to cast ballots.

The elections are unfolding amid a “vote chori” controversy, with opposition parties alleging bogus and duplicate entries in electoral rolls. With alliances fraying and rhetoric intensifying, the Ajit Pawar–Fadnavis spat signals a sharper, more combative final stretch for Maharashtra’s crucial civic polls.