Pune: BJP, Shiv Sena to Contest Pune Municipal Corporation Elections Together – Mohol
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 18th December 2025: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena will jointly contest the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections as part of the Mahayuti alliance, Union Minister of State and BJP district election in-charge Murlidhar Mohol said on Thursday.
Speaking to the media after a meeting with Shiv Sena leaders, Mohol said the party leadership has taken a unanimous decision to fight all municipal corporation elections across Maharashtra together.
“Accordingly, BJP and Shiv Sena will contest the PMC elections as an alliance in Pune. A preliminary discussion with Shiv Sena has already taken place, and further meetings will be held to give the alliance a final shape,” he said.
Mohol said that since a Mahayuti government is in power in the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have jointly decided that the BJP and Shiv Sena should fight the civic polls together. He added that Thursday’s meeting between senior office-bearers of both parties in Pune was positive and constructive.
“This was an initial discussion in which certain aspects such as wards, numbers, and seats were deliberated. However, more meetings will follow before a final decision is taken,” Mohol said.
Addressing concerns over ticket distribution, Mohol acknowledged that both parties have a large number of aspirants. “It will not be possible to accommodate everyone, but there is nothing wrong in aspiring for a ticket. Since we are contesting together, there is no possibility of rebellion. BJP is the largest political party, and we have followed a democratic process by inviting applications and conducting interviews. The final decision will be taken by the core committee and party leadership,” he said.
Mohol also confirmed that the Republican Party of India (Athawale faction) will continue as part of the Mahayuti. “I recently met Ramdas Athawale in Delhi. A meeting with RPI will be held soon, and our alliance will remain intact,” he said.
On the possibility of inducting leaders from other parties, Mohol clarified that no such decision has been taken yet. “The election process has begun. Whether to induct aspirants from other parties is a decision of the party. For now, no one will be inducted. After joining, a person becomes a BJP of worker, but while giving a ticket, winnability is also assessed. The final decision of the party leadership will be acceptable to us,” he added.
