Maharashtra Local Polls: Mahayuti Rift, MVA Gains Ally Amid NCP(SP) Crisis

• Maharashtra local body elections on Jan 15 see intense political activity, with BMC polls at the forefront.
• NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faces a major crisis as key leaders like Rakhi Jadhav defect to BJP and others to NCP (Ajit Pawar).
• BJP announces no tickets for relatives of MPs/MLAs/ministers, and will contest all 70 Latur seats alone, causing a rift in Mahayuti.
• Swabhimani Party pledges support to Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates, citing issues like inflation and corruption.
• Alliances solidify for BMC: BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) and Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS, making the contest multipolar.

Why It Matters: Maharashtra's local elections are marked by shifting alliances, internal party turmoil, and strategic moves by major political players.