Tensions have erupted within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti coalition as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) publicly called upon its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), to show reverence towards Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The demand, made on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, comes amid ongoing civic body elections across the state and highlights growing ideological friction between the partners.
BJP's Unequivocal Demand for Respect
Leading the charge, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar stated that his party holds Savarkar in the highest esteem. "The BJP has always held V D Savarkar in the highest esteem. It wholeheartedly endorses the life and works of Savarkar," Shelar declared. He added a pointed expectation for allies: "And we expect those who align with us to show the same respect towards Hindu ideologues."
In remarks seen as a veiled attack on the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, Shelar laid down a clear stance. "If you come with us, we will work together. If you don't, we will still continue our work. If you oppose us, we will also oppose you. But our work will go on," he asserted.
State BJP president Ravindra Chavan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the party's deep-rooted connection to Savarkar's philosophy. "We have always subscribed to Veer Savarkar's ideology. We have the highest reverence for the freedom fighter and Hindu ideologue. We expect those who join us to show the same reverence towards Savarkar," Chavan said.
NCP's Firm Rejection and Counter-Ideology
The BJP's demand was swiftly met with resistance from NCP leaders, who questioned the imposition of ideology within a coalition. NCP leader Amol Mitkari took to social media platform X to respond, underscoring his party's commitment to a different set of ideals.
"Even if we don't accept the ideology which BJP wants us to do, it is a fact that BJP will have to accept our party's Ambedkarite ideology, even if it is unwillingly," Mitkari posted. He firmly stated that the NCP is "committed to Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar ideology."
A senior NCP minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out the perceived inconsistency in the BJP's position. The leader recalled the 2019 post-Assembly election scenario when Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took oath early morning to form a short-lived BJP-NCP government, and again in July 2022 when the Ajit Pawar faction joined the ruling coalition with BJP and Shiv Sena.
"Why did nobody raise the ideology issue, then?" the minister asked, highlighting that ideological compatibility was not a precondition during those power-sharing arrangements.
Civic Polls as the Backdrop for Rising Friction
The war of words has intensified against the backdrop of crucial municipal corporation elections. The immediate trigger appears to be the decision of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP to unite with Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP) for the civic polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, where the combined force will take on the BJP.
In a retaliatory move, the BJP has distanced itself from the NCP in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. The BJP cited the alleged involvement of NCP's Mumbai poll incharge, Nawab Malik, in a case linked to the Dawood Ibrahim gang as the reason. Instead, the BJP has chosen to ally with the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in 14 out of 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan-Dombivali.
Adding fuel to the fire, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar recently labeled the BJP as a "corrupt party" during a campaign rally. He also referenced the irrigation scam allegations against him, questioning their validity while noting his current power-sharing arrangement with the same party.
The public sparring over ideology and alliances signals a significant strain within the Mahayuti coalition, with the civic polls serving as both a battleground and a catalyst for these underlying tensions.
