Mahayuti Alliance Shows Cracks Over Civic Upgrade Credit
Tensions within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance became publicly visible this week when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar offered conflicting narratives about who deserved credit for securing municipal council status for Hiwarkhed in Telhara tehsil. The contradictory claims emerged during separate election campaigns in Akola district, turning what should have been a routine civic upgrade into a political flashpoint ahead of local body polls.
Fadnavis Credits BJP MLA for Hiwarkhed Achievement
Speaking at a rally in Hiwarkhed on Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the successful upgrade to BJP's Akot MLA Prakash Bharsakale. The CM told gathered supporters that the municipal council status resulted directly from local demands and the BJP representative's persistent efforts. "The people of Hiwarkhed wanted a municipal council, and Bharsakale ensured it was followed up till approval," Fadnavis declared, positioning the achievement as a BJP victory.
Pawar Counters with Alternative Narrative
Just one day later in Akot on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar presented a completely different version of events. The NCP leader asserted that the initiative originated from within his party, specifically crediting NCP (Ajit Pawar) MLC Amol Mitkari with initiating the proposal. Pawar explained that Mitkari, along with then minister of state for urban development Prajakt Tanpure, had worked to ensure the file moved quickly through the approval process.
Without directly naming Chief Minister Fadnavis, Pawar delivered what observers interpreted as a direct rebuke to the BJP claims. "Some leaders are now taking false credit," Pawar stated, adding that certain politicians prefer to "stamp their name on someone else's work." The sharp remarks highlighted the growing tensions within the ruling coalition.
Local Reactions and Political Implications
The conflicting accounts have created confusion among Hiwarkhed residents and local political observers, who remain divided over which leader's intervention actually proved decisive in securing the municipal council status. While BJP leaders continue to emphasize their continuous follow-up on the matter, NCP insiders maintain the proposal originated within their ranks and was expedited through their political channels in Mumbai.
This public disagreement represents one of the most visible signs of friction within the Mahayuti alliance as local body elections approach. The timing of the conflict suggests both parties are positioning themselves to claim credit for development initiatives, even at the risk of exposing coalition vulnerabilities. Political analysts note that such public contradictions between senior alliance partners could signal deeper underlying tensions that might affect the coalition's performance in upcoming polls.
