18 November,2025 06:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena head and Deputy CM Eknath with CM Devendra Fadnavis. FILE PIC
In a significant development ahead of civic elections in Maharashtra, most Shiv Sena ministers in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti Government on Tuesday stayed away from the weekly cabinet meeting, reported news agency PTI.
Only deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, was present at the meeting in Mantralaya (secretariat), sources told PTI.
The party reportedly wanted to send a message to its ally BJP that it did not approve of the latter "poaching" Shiv Sena workers and leaders.
"The recent defections from Shiv Sena to the BJP in Kalyan-Dombivli seem to be the trigger point," sources told PTI.
Shiv Sena ministers later met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in his chamber to express their displeasure over the developments in Dombivli. However, Fadnavis reminded them that it was the Sena which had earlier inducted BJP members in neighbouring Ulhasnagar. The chief minister reportedly told the Sena leaders that when their party draws members from other allies, they should not object when the BJP does the same. He also emphasised that going forward, alliance partners should refrain from inducting each other's workers.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.
Mahayuti to contest BMC polls together: Chandrashekhar Bawankule
Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday clarified that the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP in the Mahayuti alliance will contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections together.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Bawankule said the alliance aims to secure two-thirds of the wards and 51 per cent of the vote share in the BMC polls.
"In the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Mahayuti will contest together. Our aim is to secure two-thirds of the seats and 51 per cent of the vote share to form the government in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation," he said.
According to news agency ANI, he further appealed to BJP workers contesting the local body polls independently to withdraw their nomination forms.
"We expect that all independent BJP workers contesting the Municipal Council elections will withdraw their nomination forms before the final deadline. Since only one person can be given the AB form at a particular seat, the rest should not feel disappointed and should instead work for the victory of the party's official candidate," Bawankule added.
"Our appeal is receiving a positive response, and we are confident that many will withdraw their candidature. Since the elections are being held after seven or eight years, everyone naturally expects a ticket. However, most candidates will make the appropriate decision within the withdrawal period," he said.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
