BMC Polls: Eknath Shinde Says BJP Must Uphold 'Coalition Dharma' On Friendly Fights

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has played down talk of tension between allies ahead of Tuesday's local body elections, saying the contests are not a rivalry and that Shiv Sena is not targeting BJP or other Mahayuti partners while seeking support for its candidates across municipal corporations.

Shinde, who also leads Shiv Sena, said reports of friction during campaign speeches exaggerate what he called routine "friendly fights" at the local level. The leader argued that alliance partners are already sharing power in the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly, so cooperation continues despite scattered clashes on the ground.

Shiv Sena BJP local body elections Mahayuti alliance

Explaining the nature of the contests, Shinde described the ongoing civic polls as "elections for party workers" and stressed that the main focus remains development issues. He maintained that Sena leaders and workers have not used personal or below-the-belt language against allies while canvassing support in different parts of the state.

In an interview with Aaj Tak, Shinde said, "These are workers' elections. We are campaigning for our respective candidates based on different issues. We are not making below-the-belt remarks. Our agenda is development and we don't campaign against our allies," emphasising that party workers want local concerns, not coalition disputes, to dominate speeches.

Shiv Sena BJP local body elections Mahayuti alliance dynamics

Shinde underlined what he called the basic rule of partnership, stating, "But yes, everyone should adhere to the dharma of coalition. Our role is to ensure that Shiv Sena and the BJP form an alliance together and come to power in every corporation," signalling that coalition discipline should guide strategies even when parties field separate nominees.

Asked about Sena and BJP cadres criticising each other in some areas, Shinde replied that choices depend on local equations. "In some cases, we fight together and in other instances, depending on the local level, strategy and sentiments of the workers, we may fight separately. These workers are elected by our MPs and MLAs. We are already running the government together at the Lok Sabha and Assembly levels," Shinde said.

Shinde also pointed out that grassroots representatives want visible backing from senior leaders during these civic contests. "Now, since these are party workers' elections, they also expect their leaders to come and campaign in their elections. That's why we go wherever possible," Shinde said, while firmly rejecting speculation that the Mahayuti alliance between Shiv Sena and the BJP is under strain during the local body elections.