BJP-Shiv Sena ties back on track? Fadnavis-Shinde call truce ahead of crucial urban polls

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with Deputy CM and SHiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde. (File: PTI)

After a month of acrimony between Mahayuti partners BJP and Shiv Sena with accusations of poaching and flouting of alliance norms during the local body elections, the ruling alliance constituents appear to have decided to bury the hatchet and put up a united front for the upcoming municipal corporation and zilla parishad polls in Maharashtra.

The upcoming elections include the high-profile Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Thane Municipal Corporation, among other urban centres where a victory is seen as essential to consolidating political influence.

Media reports citing sources said that the breakthrough came after a late-evening meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Shinde on Monday. The meeting, held behind closed doors, is believed to have lasted over 90 minutes.

Following the meeting, Shinde said that the Mahayuti will put up a united fight in the upcoming municipal corporation and zilla parishad polls and advised MLAs and ministers of his party to follow the "alliance dharma" and refrain from making any statements or behaviour that would lead to a conflict in the Mahayuti.

Addressing Shiv Sena MLAs and ministers in Nagpur, Shinde said the party contested elections for the post of presidents in 168 municipal councils and 4,000 councillors. He said the atmosphere was very conducive for Shiv Sena in the first phase of local body polls, voting for which was held on December 2, and that the party put up a good fight.

"The municipal corporation and zilla parishad polls will be contested as a Mahayuti alliance. Follow the alliance dharma. Do not make any controversial statement or do anything that will cause a conflict in the alliance," said Shinde.

As per sources, local-level discussions to finalise seat-sharing, ward-level coordination, and campaign responsibilities are expected to begin over the next two to three days, reported The Indian Express.

As part of the truce agreement, office-bearers and workers from the BJP and Shiv Sena will be barred from switching between the parties in order to prevent internal friction and accusations of poaching that surfaced during the recent municipal council and nagar panchayat elections.

The local body polls held on December 2 laid bare the underlying rift within the ruling Mahayuti as BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena candidates ended up in direct contests against each other in In several municipal councils and nagar panchayats.

Accusations of poaching from leaders of both sides coupled with clashes between workers of the BJP and Sena left voters wondering about the credibility of the alliance and the longevity of their unity.

Matters escalated to such a level that Shinde had to approach the central leadership of the BJP in Delhi to raise the issue. On Monday though, Shinde adopted a conciliatory tone as he said that any disputes that may have arisen during the first phase of polls now stand closed.

With a message of unity underlined by resolving their differences the BJP and Sena hope to prevent internal bickering from further damaging the alliance's performance in key urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Pimpri-Chinchwad.