Overview
- In Thane’s Ambernath council, the BJP formed the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi with Congress and Ajit Pawar’s NCP to sideline the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, claiming a 32-seat majority in the 60-member body after winning the president’s post.
- Key MNS figures in Mumbai, including Hemant Kamble and others, joined the Shinde Sena or the BJP, while in Pune several BJP workers shifted to Ajit Pawar’s NCP after local leader Amol Balwadkar was denied a ticket.
- The MNS in Thane alleged wrongful rejection of opposition nominations that left six Shinde Sena candidates elected unopposed and sought action from election authorities, which said the complaints will be examined.
- Strains inside the Mahayuti surfaced as a BJP minister’s Savarkar remark drew an Ambedkarite pushback from the NCP, Bawankule cautioned Ajit Pawar over revisiting past controversies, and the Shinde Sena prepared to face the BJP in Navi Mumbai without a pact.
- Campaigning intensified statewide with the BJP rolling out rallies, roadshows and Fadnavis-led outreach, while Uddhav and Raj Thackeray focused on shakha-level mobilisation and 29 BMC wards moved to direct contests after Congress and VBA left those seats vacant.