Overview
- Seat-sharing collapsed across much of the state, pushing BJP, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP into direct contests in 24 of 29 corporations, with the NCP factions teaming up in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- Scrutiny threw out significant numbers of papers, including 117 of 956 in Navi Mumbai and 77 of 1,033 in Bhiwandi, as Opposition leaders in Thane accused returning officers of partisan decisions.
- The ruling Mahayuti secured at least 21 unopposed victories statewide, with multiple wins in Kalyan-Dombivli and additional uncontested seats reported in Dhule, Panvel, Bhiwandi and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- In Pimpri-Chinchwad, three BJP and two Shinde Sena nominees will run as independents after AB forms arrived after the 3 pm cutoff, while a separate dispute over candidate categories prompted protests and an official inquiry.
- Cadre unrest intensified over ticketing, with BJP workers in Nashik gheraoing leaders and locking the party office as authorities confirmed 2,079 valid nominations for the city’s 122 seats after scrutiny.