Overview
- NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule wrote to State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare alleging that candidates are being pressured and intimidated to withdraw, resulting in unopposed victories.
- Sule asked the commission to ensure a free and fearless process and warned that coercive tactics undermine local self-governance.
- Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan recently claimed that about 100 BJP councillors have already been elected unopposed across municipal bodies.
- In Baramati, eight candidates of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP were elected unopposed after withdrawals, with NCP (SP) figures alleging cash inducements that the rival faction denies.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rejected the coercion claims as baseless, and with no announced SEC action, polls for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats remain set for December 2, with civic corporation elections expected in January 2026.