Overview
- About 68 candidates from the ruling alliance were left unchallenged after withdrawals, including 44 from the BJP, with the biggest cluster of 22 in Kalyan-Dombivli.
- The State Election Commission sought reports from commissioners, returning officers and police, and told ROs not to declare unopposed winners until reviews are completed.
- The SEC asked the BMC commissioner to check CCTV footage and records following allegations that Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar pressured a returning officer; he denies wrongdoing.
- Officials said any violations could trigger action against returning officers, but the law does not allow restoring candidacies after the withdrawal deadline.
- Opposition parties allege coercion and inducements drove the withdrawals, while ruling leaders credit organisational strength; voting is scheduled for January 15 and counting for January 16.