Ahead of the high-stakes municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, an unprecedented number of candidates have been elected without a contest, triggering a major political controversy. The ruling Mahayuti alliance has secured 68 of the 69 unopposed victories recorded so far, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has cried foul, alleging pressure tactics and inducements.
An Unusual Trend in Urban Polls
Elections for 29 municipal corporations with a total of 2,869 seats are scheduled for January 15. However, even before polling, 69 councillors have already been elected unopposed across various civic bodies. This accounts for roughly 2% of all seats. The breakdown of these uncontested wins shows the BJP as the biggest beneficiary with 44 seats, followed by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena with 22 and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP with two. One seat was won by the Malegaon-based Islam Party.
This pattern is considered rare for urban civic elections, which typically feature intense, multi-cornered contests at the ward level. The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) saw the highest number, with 22 seats decided without a contest. Similarly, in Jalgaon City Municipal Corporation, 12 Mahayuti candidates faced no rivals after last-minute withdrawals.
Allegations, Denials, and an SEC Inquiry
The surge in unopposed wins has led to sharp accusations from the MVA coalition. Leaders have alleged that candidates were "forced" or "persuaded to withdraw at the last minute" through intimidation or financial offers. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called the trend "unprecedented," claiming that tactics of "sama, dana, danda, bheda" (persuasion, money, punishment, division) were being used. He even alleged that opponents were offered up to Rs 5 crore to step aside.
NCP leader Nawab Malik raised specific complaints about candidate eligibility in BMC wards and alleged "midnight decisions" by returning officers. Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) members pointed to the potential misuse of central agencies to scare off opponents.
The BJP has firmly rejected all allegations. State BJP president Ravindra Chavan stated that the unopposed victories reflect public confidence in the Mahayuti government's development work under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He suggested that even opposition candidates withdrew because they recognized the BJP's inevitable victory.
In response to the controversy, the State Election Commission (SEC) has taken a cautious step. It has directed returning officers not to formally declare results in wards with unopposed wins until an inquiry is completed. The SEC has sought detailed reports from municipal commissioners, returning officers, and police chiefs to examine whether any pressure or inducements led to the withdrawals.
Mumbai's BMC Sees Significant Dip in Contestants
In a related development, the high-profile Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections have witnessed a notable drop in candidates. The number of contestants has fallen by 24%, from 2,275 in 2017 to 1,729 this year. The BMC, India's richest civic body with 227 seats, is a crucial political battleground. The reduction in candidates has added fuel to the opposition's claims of a compromised electoral process.
As the January 15 polling date approaches, the political atmosphere in Maharashtra remains charged. The SEC's inquiry reports will be closely watched to determine if the wave of unopposed victories was a genuine reflection of political strength or the result of undue influence, as the opposition claims.
