Even as Maharashtra BJP claimed on Saturday that 100 of its candidates — which include a relative of the chief minister and wife of a cabinet minister — have been elected unopposed in the ongoing local self government body polls, the opposition has alleged that the saffron party has relied heavily on money and muscle power to prove its worth. Taking a jibe at BJP, the Opposition said the party was implementing a “Family Welfare Scheme” in local self government body polls
“BJP has started with a century. In the local self government body polls, BJP has made its victory start with a century. BJP’s three candidates have been elected as presidents unopposed and 100 candidates have been elected unopposed,” said BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhaye.
Among those elected include Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ maternal brother Alhad Kaloti and Sadhana Mahajan, wife of Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan. While Kaloti has been elected as councillor from Chikhaldara Municipal Council, Sadhana has been elected president of Jamner Municipal Council. Even Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal’s mother has been elected unopposed as president of the Dondaicha-Varwade Municipal Council in Dhule district.
Reacting to the BJP’s claim of unopposed victories, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “All this has become possible through pressure tactics employed by the BJP. The Mahayuti has misused government machinery to ensure the victories of its candidates.”
Stating that close relatives of BJP ministers and leaders have been elected unopposed to municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats, Wadettiwar said,
“It is a murder of democracy. Misusing power and using pressure tactics on opposition candidates, several BJP candidates have managed to win unopposed while forcing opposition candidates to withdraw from the race,” he said.
Underlining that intimidation has become a tool to ensure victories, Wadettiwar said, “Because of the chief minister, BJP office-bearers have become emboldened to do what they want.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said power has gone to BJP’s head. “It is misusing the government machinery to ensure unopposed victories of its candidates. BJP spokesperson has claimed that 100 of its candidates have been elected unopposed and three as presidents. This is not a victory but arrogance of BJP leaders. How come all the relatives of BJP leaders are getting elected unopposed? Why can’t an ordinary party worker get elected as council president or becomes a councilor?” he asked.
Taunting BJP that it was implementing a “Family Welfare Scheme”, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said, “Though unopposed election is a good sign, how come only BJP candidates are getting elected unopposed? BJP has been raking up the issue of dynastic rule but in the local self government body polls, it is implementing Family Welfare Yojana. It is showing how it is a ‘party with a difference’.”
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Rohit Pawar alleged that BJP has used every trick in the bag to force opposition candidate out of the fray and ensure unopposed election of its candidates. “The local self government bodies are seen as those who can take the common man onboard in the decision-making process. It is about ensuring decentralisation of power. Unopposed victories of relatives, ministers and leaders are being ensured… Elections should be free, fair and transparent… but there is no sign of such things,” he said.
Responding to the opposition’s allegation, BJP leader and Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, “I want to thank the people of Maharashtra… In assembly election, BJP scored more than three votes. And now, BJP has secured more than 100 unopposed elections. When the final results are out, Mahayuti will get 51 per cent votes and a two-third majority in all local self government bodies. When Congress loses, it raises the bogey of oppression and Congress wins, then it claim victory. People of Maharashtra have faith in the ability of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure development and therefore they have voted for Mahayuti.”
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
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