BJP Mulls Solo Strategy for Upcoming Civic Polls, Gears Up for Supreme Court Decision

Pune, 18th February 2025: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun mobilizing its local units across Maharashtra, preparing for upcoming civic elections, which could be held by the end of April or early May. The party is anticipating a ruling from the Supreme Court on the OBC (Other Backward Classes) quota, which would allow the much-delayed elections to take place.

Sources within the BJP indicate that the party is considering the possibility of contesting the elections independently, without the support of its allies. The state unit is reportedly exploring the option of a solo run in various civic bodies across the state.

Last week, BJP state president and cabinet minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, visited several districts, including Pune, Kolhapur, Nashik, Jalgaon, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, and Akola, to meet with local BJP units and assess the party’s strength. Bawankule urged party workers to expand the BJP’s influence in their respective regions, while also exploring the potential of going solo in the elections.

Clarifying the party’s position on alliances, Bawankule said, “The Mahayuti alliance will remain intact for the civic polls. However, every party has the right to expand its base, and that is what we are doing. I’m confident that the NCP and Shiv Sena are also working to grow their respective organizations. We are prepared for the elections and are waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision, which could come at any time.”

Party insiders note that there is a growing sentiment within the BJP to contest the elections independently. “The BJP’s performance in the state assembly elections boosted the morale of our workers, and there is a strong belief that we have a good chance in the civic polls as well. This is why there is increasing pressure from within the party to go solo in many civic bodies,” a senior BJP leader said.

While BJP units across the state are holding meetings to discuss strategies, other political parties are also preparing for the civic elections. NCP leader Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde are engaging in similar exercises to assess their party’s position. Shinde is holding rallies to thank voters for their support in the previous elections, while Pawar has been meeting with city and district units, anticipating that the civic polls may take place this summer.

In January, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had predicted that elections for all civic bodies in the state would likely occur in May. He had also encouraged BJP workers to start preparing for the elections. A BJP MLA had shared that Fadnavis instructed all ministers and office-bearers to refrain from making any negative comments about Mahayuti allies.