“The Key May Be Yours, But the Treasury Is Ours” — BJP Warns Ajit Pawar as Mahayuti Tensions Surface

Mumbai: With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections drawing closer, visible cracks have begun to appear within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance. Sharp exchanges between leaders of the BJP and the NCP have intensified political speculation about coordination and power equations within the coalition.

The latest flashpoint emerged after NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar made pointed remarks targeting the BJP. The comments drew a swift and unusually blunt response from senior BJP leader and state minister Chandrakant Patil, who issued a public warning during a political gathering.

Addressing party workers, Patil underlined the BJP’s dominance in the state administration, stating that while financial control may be held by an ally, real authority rests elsewhere. His remarks, delivered in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, were widely seen as a signal that the BJP is unwilling to tolerate challenges from within the alliance as civic elections approach.

The political temperature rose further at a rally in Sangli, where Patil revisited allegations exchanged during recent local body campaigns. Taking a direct dig at Ajit Pawar’s assertive political posture, the BJP leader cautioned alliance partners against overplaying their hand, stressing that the Chief Minister’s office and the Home Department remain under BJP control.

The response from Ajit Pawar was measured but firm. Reacting to comments from BJP leaders, Pawar asserted his constitutional right to speak openly and reminded the media of past controversies that, according to him, still require clarity. He denied making direct allegations, framing his statements as reminders rather than accusations.

Pawar also spoke candidly about alliance dynamics at the grassroots level, particularly in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. While acknowledging that the BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena are partners at the state and national levels, he admitted that municipal politics often follows a different script.

“At the local level, it is a straight fight,” Pawar said, hinting that competition within the alliance may intensify as the BMC elections near.