BMC polls: RPI(A)’s exclusion from BJP, Shiv Sena seat-sharing a ‘betrayal of trust’, says Athawale

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday (December 30, 2025) said that his party RPI(A) has been excluded from the seat-sharing agreement between the BJP and Shiv Sena for the upcoming Mumbai civic elections, terming the move as a “betrayal of trust”.

Ruling allies BJP and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena reached a seat-sharing agreement for 137 and 90 seats respectively in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls on Monday, December 29, 2025.

Mr. Athawale, in his post on He claimed that a meeting was planned for negotiations at 16:00 on Monday, but the alliance partners did not fulfill this commitment.

He wrote that this was not only a waste of time but also an attack on our self-esteem.

“With the Mumbai local body elections approaching, I will not tolerate this insult to my party workers. Therefore, whatever decision my workers take today, I will have my full support,” Mr. Athawale said.

Meanwhile, RPI(A) sources said that candidates from the party will file nominations for 50 seats.

“There is still time for the candidates to withdraw. Let’s see if there will be an honorable debate and a decision will be made to withdraw or enter into a friendly fight. Until then, we will go it alone and contest for 50 seats,” a party source said.

While the BJP and Shiv Sena have announced a seat-sharing agreement, NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, another constituent of Mahayuti, is contesting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls separately.

The last date for filing nomination papers for the January 15 elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra ends on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.