Mumbai, Jan 24 (NationPress) After a remarkable performance in the recent Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, and Nagar Panchayat elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is maintaining its so-called “unopposed pattern” during the Zilla Parishad (ZP) and Panchayat Samiti elections across Maharashtra.

With the conclusion of nomination paper scrutiny, the opposition has faced a significant setback as 11 candidates from Mahayuti — including 10 from the BJP and one from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena — have been elected unopposed.

Among these unopposed victories are five seats in the Zilla Parishad and six in the Panchayat Samiti from the coastal regions of Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri.

The approach of convincing opposing candidates to withdraw — a strategy that previously led to 68 Mahayuti candidates winning unopposed in municipal elections earlier this month — is now being applied to rural local bodies.

Dr. Padmaja Kambale of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena was the first candidate to be elected unopposed in the current cycle, representing the Nanij Panchayat Samiti in Ratnagiri, a recognized stronghold of Industries Minister Uday Samant.

Key victories in Sindhudurg included BJP candidates Prachi Isvalkar (Kharepatan ZP) and Pramod Kamat (Banda ZP), who secured their positions after opposing candidates from Shiv Sena (UBT) and independents withdrew their nominations.

Sindhudurg is viewed as a crucial battleground, being the home district of BJP state president Ravindra Chavan. The success is largely attributed to the strategic planning and grassroots efforts of BJP MP Narayan Rane and party minister Nitesh Rane.

By consolidating local support and negotiating withdrawals from rival candidates, Mahayuti has neutralized competition in nearly 20 percent of the seats in specific areas ahead of polling.

Its influence, particularly in the Kankavli Assembly constituency, has reportedly led several opposition and independent candidates to withdraw from the contest. Political analysts suggest that the “Rane factor” has effectively diminished opposition challenges in these regions prior to polling.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has accused the ruling coalition of employing pressure tactics to compel candidates to withdraw.

Nonetheless, Mahayuti leaders have dismissed these claims, interpreting the unopposed victories as a “certificate of public trust” in the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.

The “unopposed pattern” is seen as an indication of the organizational strength of Mahayuti and its efforts to create a psychological advantage over the opposition.

As the opposition appears to be on the defensive in this coastal area, the Mahayuti alliance is entering the final stages of the elections with a distinct psychological and numerical edge.

With a record number of nominations submitted — over 7,600 for Zilla Parishads and around 13,000 for Panchayat Samitis — the elections set for February 5 will determine if the opposition can halt the Mahayuti’s momentum in rural Maharashtra.