Pune Municipal Elections: Seat-Sharing Deadlock Triggers BJP–Shiv Sena Split
Pune Municipal Elections: Seat-Sharing Deadlock Triggers BJP–Shiv Sena Split
Pune, December 30, 2025: Pune’s civic politics witnessed a major shake-up on Tuesday after the alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) officially fell apart ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation elections. The development was confirmed by Shiv Sena city chief Nana Bhangire, who indicated that the alliance was no longer intact, triggering intense political churn in the city.
Despite multiple rounds of meetings and negotiations, both parties failed to reach a consensus on seat-sharing. While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier announced that the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena would contest the elections together—excluding the Ajit Pawar-led NCP—talks soon ran into trouble.
During discussions, the BJP reportedly staked claim to around 140 of the total seats, proposing a limited number for the Shiv Sena and a few for alliance partners. Initially, the Shinde faction was offered only 10 to 12 seats, later increased to 15 after internal dissent. However, Shiv Sena leaders and workers expressed strong dissatisfaction, staging protests and openly opposing the alliance.
Sources said the Shiv Sena felt sidelined, alleging a lack of respect in negotiations and unfair allocation of wards where the party had weaker winning prospects. Tensions escalated further when Nana Bhangire and former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar reportedly walked out of a key meeting, effectively sealing the alliance’s collapse.
Following the split, the Shiv Sena has begun issuing AB forms to its candidates and is preparing to contest all 165 seats in Pune independently. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant is expected to reach Pune to hold discussions with party workers and clarify the party’s official stand through a press conference.
