Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 25 (ANI): Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that the Mahayuti has decided to contest the panchayat and municipal council elections in alliance.
Amid speculations of a dispute within the alliance, it held a Mahayuti Coordination Committee meeting on Monday. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, and several ministers.
Bawankule said that the alliance has made certain rules for its members.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bawankule stated, "In Maharashtra, regarding our alliance, the platform we have created, we have made rules for that platform. CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Sunetra Pawar were present during this time. As NDA, discussions took place in the direction of fulfilling the promises we made to the people. Thoughts were exchanged on who should contest elections from where in the upcoming elections. We will contest the panchayat elections and municipal council elections with the alliance."
In the last local body polls in Maharashtra, while the BJP and Shiv Sena contested as Mahayuti, NCP joined hands with the NCP(SCP) in Pune, which is considered a stronghold of the Pawar family. Despite Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar joining hands, the BJP won 119 out of the 165 seats in Pune in January.
Further, Bawankule told the media that the Mahayuti Coordination Committee meeting will be held once every two months.
"We will take this to the people and certainly our double-engine government of the Centre and State will take the Mahayuti formula forward. Such meetings will be held once every two months so that our coordination can be maintained," he said.
The BJP leader dismissed the speculations of political changes in Maharashtra, stating, "The opposition is scared, and they know that as long as Devendra Fadnavis remains in power, their shop won't run. That's why they spread such talks." (ANI)
"Will contest panchayat, municipal council polls in alliance": BJP's Bawankule after Mahayuti Coordination Committee meet