Legal cases and allegations against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik have created significant rifts within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, casting doubts on the unity between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP ahead of the upcoming Mumbai civic polls. BJP leaders have publicly stated they will not align with any faction led by Malik in the city, citing his ongoing Enforcement Directorate investigations related to money laundering and alleged underworld links. This stance emerged a day after the announcement of municipal corporation elections across Maharashtra, triggering a series of alliance discussions in Mumbai.

The Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), has maintained a relatively cohesive front at the state level. However, internal tensions have surfaced, particularly in Mumbai, where the alliance are likely to contest separately due to ideological and personal conflicts. While the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi—consisting of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction)—grapples with its own divisions, the ruling bloc's potential fracture could reshape electoral dynamics in the financial capital.

Nawab Malik, a senior NCP figure and former minister, has been a contentious point for the BJP since his arrest in 2022 and subsequent bail. The party has emphasised that associating with him undermines their anti-corruption narrative, leading to calls for the NCP to sideline him in Mumbai operations. Despite this, Ajit Pawar has defended Malik's role, highlighting his contributions to the party and minority representation, further straining inter-alliance relations.

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As pre-poll meetings intensify, the discord raises questions about seat-sharing and campaign strategies for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Political analysts suggest that a split could benefit the opposition, potentially fragmenting votes and altering power balances in one of India's largest civic bodies.

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