Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, accusing them of applying double standards when it comes to interpreting unopposed electoral victories. The controversy erupted as the state witnessed a significant number of candidates getting elected without a contest in the ongoing local body polls.
Fadnavis Accuses Opposition of Hypocrisy
Speaking at a poll rally in Dhule on Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly defended the large-scale unopposed wins for his party. He pointed out a stark contrast in the opposition's narrative. "When there is an unopposed election during Congress tenure, it is democracy. But when there are unopposed elections during BJP tenure, there is a threat to democracy. This shows the opposition’s double standards," Fadnavis stated.
He further taunted the opposition with a colloquial phrase, "Tujhko mirchi lagi toh main kya karoon" (If you feel the sting, what can I do), suggesting their outcry was a result of their own political discomfort rather than any genuine threat to democratic processes.
The Numbers Behind the Controversy
The immediate trigger for the political spat is the victory of 68 unopposed candidates in the elections for municipal corporations across Maharashtra. Of these, the BJP leads with 44 unopposed wins. This trend was set earlier during the first phase of polls for municipal councils and nagar panchayats, where the BJP secured 100 seats unopposed.
Fadnavis provided historical context to counter the opposition's allegations. He claimed that at least 35 Lok Sabha MPs have been elected unopposed in India's history, with 33 of those instances occurring during Congress rule.
Opposition Allegations and Upcoming Elections
A coalition of opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and MNS, has levied serious charges against the ruling alliance. They allege that the BJP and its partner, Shiv Sena, misused state power and intimidated rival candidates to withdraw from the fray, thereby engineering unopposed wins in 68 constituencies.
Dismissing these charges, Fadnavis asserted that the core issue is the opposition's inability to accept the BJP's widespread popularity. "The problem is the opposition is unwilling to reconcile to the BJP’s popularity among people. They cannot digest our victory and acceptance among masses," he said.
All eyes are now on the upcoming major electoral event. The elections for 29 municipal corporations, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are scheduled to be held on January 15, 2026. The results of these polls are seen as a key mid-term indicator of the political mood in the state.
