Maharashtra Civic Polls: BJP and Congress Trade Barbs Over 'Alliance' Claims, Fadnavis Unveils Metro Plan | India News
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As Maharashtra gears up for the high-stakes local body elections, the stage is set for a fierce battle. The State Election Commission has announced that elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. Over 2,869 seats in these municipal corporations will be up for grabs. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has raised the pitch against the BJP, alleging that those seeking to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra are in power at the Centre and in the state. He has warned that if the BJP controls the municipal corporations, 'Marathi manoos' will be rendered powerless. Thackeray made these remarks in a joint interview with his cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray in the latter's party mouthpiece Saamana. The alliance between the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) has been a significant development ahead of the BMC elections. The two parties have announced their partnership for the January 15 polls. Meanwhile, reports of violence have surfaced as Shiv Sena leader Haji Salim Qureshi was attacked with a knife while campaigning in Mumbai's Bandra. Another Shiv Sena leader, Pramod Nana Bhangire, alleged that stones were hurled at his car during an election campaign in Pune. The BJP, bolstered by its victory in the 2024 Assembly elections, is eying to make big wins in the elections for 29 municipal corporations next week. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is scheduled to hold over 50 rallies across the state, while the party's state unit chief and election in-charge will hold between 45-50 rallies. The row over the BJP-Congress alliance in Ambernath has also sparked high drama. However, leadership of both parties has strongly reacted to the reports, dismissing the possibility of any alliance. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has slammed the decision, claiming it was made by local leaders. In a bid to boost its chances, Chief Minister Fadnavis has also unveiled a metro plan for the state. The plan aims to improve public transportation and infrastructure in major cities. The civic polls are expected to be a closely contested battle, with several key parties vying for power in the state.
