Mumbai: Political tensions have intensified in Maharashtra following the results of the Legislative Council (MLC) elections, with differences emerging within the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Congress stepping up its attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The elections were held for five Maharashtra Legislative Council constituencies. The ruling Mahayuti alliance secured two seats, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won three.

Tensions Within the Mahayuti Alliance

Following the results, the BJP accused its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, of failing to provide adequate support during the elections. The allegations have triggered a war of words within the ruling alliance.

Shiv Sena leaders, meanwhile, have hit back, raising questions about coordination and leadership within the alliance. The political exchanges have also fuelled speculation about demands for a change in the chief minister's post, with some voices reportedly favouring Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. However, no official decision on a leadership change has been announced.

Congress Wins Nagpur MLC Seat

The Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency emerged as a major talking point after Congress candidate Abhijeet Wanjari defeated BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale by 3,271 votes.

Wanjari secured 67,231 votes, while Kohale received 63,960. The result is significant because Nagpur is the home city of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Both leaders had campaigned for the BJP candidate.

Congress Targets Fadnavis

Following the Nagpur result, the Congress targeted Fadnavis over a social media post in which he had mocked the party for failing to win a seat during the initial stages of counting.

After Congress emerged victorious in Nagpur, the post was deleted. The Maharashtra Congress criticised the Chief Minister for reacting before all the results had been declared and warned that the BJP could face further political challenges in the 2029 elections.

MVA Secures Three Seats

Of the five seats contested, the BJP won the Pune Teachers’ constituency, the Shiv Sena secured the Amravati Teachers’ seat, and the opposition MVA won the remaining three. The Congress retained Nagpur, while the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) secured the Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates’ constituencies.

The results have intensified political exchanges in Maharashtra, bringing alliance coordination, candidate selection and the Nagpur setback into focus.