Overview
- At a joint event in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance urged the State Election Commission to cancel results and restart polling where candidates were declared elected without a contest.
- The demand follows 68 unopposed wins statewide, with a heavy concentration in Thane district where 32 candidates faced no rivals, prompting questions over the nomination process.
- The SEC has sought a detailed report from the BMC on complaints that returning officers refused nominations in Colaba wards linked to Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s relatives; Narwekar denies wrongdoing.
- The alliance unveiled a joint manifesto promising measures such as a Rs 1,500 monthly ‘Swabhiman Nidhi’ for domestic and Koli women, cheaper bus fares, and expanded affordable housing.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the unopposed outcomes and said any court challenge would not overturn the people’s mandate, while reiterating that Mumbai’s mayor will be from the MahaYuti and Marathi.