Ahead of the BMC election 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut slammed the rise of unopposed candidates in Maharashtra’s civic polls, alleging misuse of power and money. He demanded a probe, claiming crores were offered to force candidates to withdraw
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut
With the BMC election 2026 just around the corner, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday launched a scathing attack over the unopposed election, especially of Mahayuti nominees in municipal polls across Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stated that even the big leaders of this country were never elected unopposed.
Sanjay Raut said, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee was never elected unopposed, nor were Barrister Nath Pai, Vasantdada Patil, Ram Manohar Lohia, or even Narendra Modi. However, a new trend has started in Maharashtra where 'Sama, Dana, Danda, Bheda (persuasion, money, punishment, and division)' are being used to ensure unopposed victories," as cited by news agency IANS.
Raut also added that journalists, political analysts, and the public were well aware that such a high number of unopposed candidates is unprecedented. He also added that this is not just in the country’s history but in the history of the world.
Describing the tactics used, Raut, while speaking at the press conference, alleged that candidates were forced to withdraw not just through the misuse of election machinery but by "showering" them with money. "Opponents were being paid five crore rupees each to step down," as per IANS.
While citing the example of Kalyan, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stated that the amount offered to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) city chief Manoj Gharat to withdraw was "eye-popping".
Regarding the situation in Jalgaon, Raut alleged, "Bags containing five crore rupees each were sent to the houses of candidates to force them to withdraw. The candidates were left stunned by the sheer amount of money. Such a massive play of wealth has never been seen before in this democracy.”
In view of demanding an investigation on this particular matter, Sanjay Raut said, "The election officials had clear instructions. Although the deadline for withdrawal was 3:00 PM, instructions were issued from the offices of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to accept applications even after that time and backdate them to before 3:00 PM," reported IANS.
“Check the phone calls and records of everyone involved. Investigate who called whom in the last 24 hours — which Guardian Minister, which Minister, or which office made the calls. If this is investigated, the mystery behind these unopposed withdrawals will be revealed,” Shiv Sena (MP) Sanjay Raut.
Raut also expressed deep concern over the state’s image, saying, "These incidents have dragged Maharashtra’s prestige through the dust. The state has been completely defamed. If 60 people are being elected unopposed, what kind of election is this? What are the voters supposed to do?"
Speaking at the press conference on Saturday, he further questioned the role of the regulatory body, asking, "Has this question ever occurred to the Election Commission? The Election Commission has become a 'pet cat' sitting under the plates of these corrupt individuals."
Sanjay Raut slams NCP chief Ajit Pawar
Meanwhile, Raut also reacted to NCP chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s scathing attack accusing the BJP leaders from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation of reaching the "pinnacle of corruption.”
He further claimed they possess a "monstrous hunger" to enrich their families through illicit means. He reminded the public of the origins of the corruption allegations against the Deputy CM.
Raut further emphasised, “We did not level the Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam allegations against Ajit Pawar. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who made those charges during a rally in Bhopal. Ironically, just eight days later, Ajit Pawar joined the Cabinet. The BJP must now answer what happened to those allegations," as per IANS.
(With inputs from IANS)
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