In a move that has reignited political tensions across Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has launched a blistering attack on the state’s ruling coalition, demanding the immediate cancellation of dozens of unopposed civic election wins. In a rare show of unity, he was flanked by his estranged cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray—signaling a potential anti-establishment front ahead of crucial urban polls. At the heart of the storm? Explosive allegations of a ₹3 lakh crore scam at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and a chilling claim that ‘democracy is being replaced by mobocracy.’
The controversy centers on the unusually high number of candidates declared winners without a contest in recent municipal elections across Maharashtra—especially in Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. Uddhav Thackeray argues this isn’t a sign of popular mandate but of orchestrated intimidation, vote suppression, and financial manipulation. His core demand—cancel all Uddhav Thackeray unopposed civic wins and hold fresh, fair elections—has thrown the state’s political machinery into disarray.
Table of Contents
- What Are Unopposed Wins—and Why Do They Matter?
- Uddhav Thackeray’s Unopposed Civic Wins Allegations
- The ₹3 Lakh Crore BMC Scam Claim
- Raj Thackeray’s Unexpected Backing: A Family Truce?
- CM Fadnavis’ Response: ‘Mandate Over Excuses’
- What the Election Commission Can Do
- Conclusion: Is Democracy at Risk?
- Sources
What Are Unopposed Wins—and Why Do They Matter?
Unopposed wins occur when a candidate is declared elected because no other eligible contestant files a nomination against them by the deadline. While common in some rural constituencies, a surge in urban unopposed victories—particularly in a politically charged city like Mumbai—is highly unusual.
In the 2025 Maharashtra civic polls, over 150 seats were won unopposed, with the ruling Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and BJP securing the lion’s share. Critics like Uddhav Thackeray argue this isn’t organic—it’s engineered. Tactics allegedly include:
- Intimidation of rival candidates or their supporters
- Financial inducements to withdraw nominations
- Deliberate delays or rejections of opposition paperwork by civic officials
- Exploitation of last-minute candidate withdrawals due to ‘threats’ or ‘pressure’
When elections aren’t contested, voters are denied a choice—effectively silencing democratic participation. That’s why Uddhav calls it not democracy, but “mobocracy”—rule by force, not ballot.
Uddhav Thackeray’s Unopposed Civic Wins Allegations
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray accused the ruling alliance of “stealing democracy” by engineering unopposed victories. “When 100+ seats are won without a single vote cast, it’s not a mandate—it’s a mockery,” he declared . He specifically cited areas in Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs where his party had strong grassroots presence but saw candidates withdraw mysteriously hours before the deadline.
He further alleged that civic officials—many appointed under the current administration—were complicit in rejecting nomination papers on flimsy technical grounds or fast-tracking withdrawals that benefited the ruling coalition. According to Thackeray, this coordinated effort reflects a systemic attempt to sideline opposition voices without facing electoral accountability.
The ₹3 Lakh Crore BMC Scam Claim
But Thackeray didn’t stop at election irregularities. In a bombshell accusation, he claimed a massive ₹3 lakh crore financial scam had been perpetrated at the BMC—the richest civic body in Asia. While he didn’t provide granular evidence publicly, he pointed to inflated civic contracts, ghost projects, and manipulated tender processes over the past five years.
“From coastal roads to sewage plants, every major BMC project has been marked up by 200–300%. This isn’t development—it’s daylight robbery,” he asserted. He called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe, warning that unchecked corruption at the BMC undermines Mumbai’s very infrastructure.
For more on civic governance issues, see our deep dive into how BMC corruption impacts Mumbai residents.
Raj Thackeray’s Unexpected Backing: A Family Truce?
Adding fuel to the fire was the visible presence of Raj Thackeray, who historically positioned himself as a fierce critic of Uddhav’s ‘soft’ politics. Raj echoed the mobocracy charge, stating, “If you win without a fight, you win without legitimacy.”
While the two have not formally merged parties, their joint appearance suggests a strategic alignment against the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) combine—a rare moment of Thackeray family unity that could reshape Maharashtra’s urban political landscape ahead of the 2027 state elections.
CM Fadnavis’ Response: ‘Mandate Over Excuses’
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis swiftly dismissed the allegations as “sour grapes” from a leader who failed to inspire voter confidence. “People have spoken through unopposed wins because they trust our work on the ground,” he said in a press briefing .
Fadnavis argued that many opposition candidates withdrew voluntarily due to lack of local support—not coercion. He also labeled the ₹3 lakh crore scam figure as “fantasy,” urging Thackeray to file formal complaints with evidence rather than make sensational claims.
What the Election Commission Can Do
Under India’s legal framework, the State Election Commission (SEC) has the authority to review unopposed declarations if credible evidence of malpractice surfaces. Past precedents—such as in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu—have seen the SEC order repolls in select wards after complaints of intimidation.
However, overturning dozens of unopposed wins would be unprecedented and legally complex. The onus is now on Uddhav Thackeray’s camp to submit documented proof to the SEC. Until then, the results stand—but the political fallout is already unfolding.
Conclusion: Is Democracy at Risk?
The row over Uddhav Thackeray unopposed civic wins is more than a political spat—it’s a litmus test for urban democracy in India. If unopposed victories become the norm through coercion rather than consensus, it erodes public trust in the electoral process itself. Whether this leads to an official probe, judicial intervention, or merely fuels campaign rhetoric remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: in Maharashtra’s high-stakes political arena, the battle for Mumbai’s soul is far from over.
Sources
- Times of India. “Maha civic polls row: Uddhav Thackeray demands cancellation of unopposed wins; alleges ‘mobocracy’, Rs 3 lakh crore BMC scam.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-civic-polls-row-uddhav-thackeray-demands-cancellation-of-unopposed-civic-wins-alleges-mobocracy-rs-3-lakh-crore-bmc-scam/articleshow/126333552.cms
- Election Commission of India. Guidelines on unopposed returns in municipal elections.
- The Hindu. “Understanding unopposed wins in Indian local body polls.” https://www.thehindu.com
- Maharashtra State Election Commission. Official civic election 2025 data.