Opposition slams ruling alliance over welcome to Macron

The Opposition in Maharashtra on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) criticized the ruling alliance for covering Mumbai with hoardings to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming that the exhibition represented an inappropriate politicization of a state visit.

Political parties and citizens also filed a lawsuit on social media against the hoardings, which they said were put up in violation of the Bombay High Court order against them.

Objections were raised by leaders of opposition parties against the posters put up by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and the Shiv Sena group led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. They argue that the hoardings blur the line between government protocol and political propaganda. They argue that the reception of a foreign head of state falls strictly within the purview of official government procedure.

“The reception of a visiting dignitary is a matter of state protocol and not a platform for political parties to showcase themselves. By putting up these posters, they are projecting Mr. Macron as if he is the leader of their party or the President of the country,” senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said. The opposition called on the authorities to ensure that established rules of diplomatic courtesy are observed throughout the visit of the French President.

The opposition has also filed legal challenges to the hoardings, arguing that they violate the Maharashtra Prevention of Destruction of Property Act, 1995. Questions were directed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation as to what steps were being taken to remove unauthorized banners and whether action would be taken against those who erected them.