Nagpur, Dec 12 (NationPress) The President of Maharashtra BJP, Ravindra Chavan, firmly dismissed claims that the party was pressuring leaders from coalition partners or rival factions to defect, emphasizing that the BJP consistently follows "coalition dharma" within the governing MahaYuti.

Chavan highlighted the inclusive nature of the alliance led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and confirmed that the three parties involved -- BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP -- will collaboratively participate in the upcoming local body elections as the MahaYuti coalition.

The elections, which include the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) contest, must be finalized by January 31, 2026, as directed by the Supreme Court.

This statement from Chavan comes amidst heightened political maneuvers surrounding the civic elections, following a public confrontation between BJP and Shiv Sena leaders during elections to 264 local bodies, where the ruling partners had candidates competing against one another in various regions.

Chavan categorically denied any use of coercive tactics, asserting, "BJP has never coerced anyone from the ruling parties or the Opposition to join us." He claimed it was the Shiv Sena that initially recruited BJP leaders in the Ambernath area, setting off a trend of defections.

The BJP President reiterated the party's focus on grassroots politics, noting that senior leadership considers local body elections as vital as Assembly and Lok Sabha contests.

Chavan mentioned that the BJP's "strength and success stem from the development agenda and the robust leadership of Modi-Fadnavis."

His remarks follow a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, where he briefed Shah on the political landscape in the state and the organizational approach for the civic elections.

Additionally, Chavan met with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to finalize strategies and seat-sharing plans for the municipal corporation elections in key regions, including Mumbai and Thane.

For both the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, clinching the BMC is crucial to mitigate the influence of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, who are anticipated to run together on a strong Marathi Manoos agenda.

Both parties have reiterated their intention to raise the saffron flag over the BMC and secure the mayoral position.

Moreover, the BJP and Shiv Sena have signaled their intent to unveil Uddhav Thackeray’s fake Hindutva, particularly after his alliance with Congress to form a government post the 2019 assembly elections.

The series of discussions and public statements affirm the ruling coalition's cohesive approach to the critical local body elections, despite underlying tensions regarding internal political poaching in areas like Kalyan-Dombivli.