High drama unfolded in Maharashtra on Friday, January 2, the last day to withdraw candidature for the January 15 civic polls. Political parties traded serious accusations of bribing and threatening candidates while urging their rebels to step back. Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis appealed directly to rebel candidates at a Marathi literary event. He said, “I never answer calls from dais, but today I have to as rebel candidates will not withdraw without speaking to me.” Reports of dissent within BJP emerged from many parts of the state. In Solapur, two BJP factions vandalised the office of ex-corporator Shankar Shinde. In Nagpur, BJP nominee Kisan Gawande was asked by the party to withdraw after receiving his nomination. His supporters reportedly locked him inside his home. After he withdrew, Gawande said, “I understand supporters’ feelings, but party orders need to be followed.” Fifteen BJP candidates won unopposed in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) city president in Panvel, Manoj Gharat, withdrew his nomination. BJP’s Mahesh Patil was then declared winner there. In another smooth win, Shiv Sena’s Ram Repale got victory after Congress and Independent candidates withdrew. Nineteen Shiv Sena candidates won unopposed across three municipal bodies. Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde congratulated the winners and said, “There is no doubt that the saffron alliance will hoist the flag on the Thane Municipal Corporation on the 16th. An unopposed election is a testament to the work done. Where the Opposition is sure of defeat, they retreat, and unopposed elections are held.” The Opposition hit back with sharp criticism. Congress leader Atul Londhe accused the Election Commission and the ruling Mahayuti alliance of “candidate theft”. He claimed, “The ruling party, including Eknath Shinde, are threatening candidates from the Opposition parties and Independents to withdraw their candidature.” Further, MNS candidate Yogesh Chile accused his Congress rival of offering ₹60 lakh to quit the contest. Several Shiv Sena (UBT) hopefuls who did not get party nominations, including Chandrashekhar Wingankar, filed as Independents. Overall, 453 candidates withdrew their nominations. About 1,700 candidates remain in the race to contest the Mumbai civic polls, according to BMC data. Voting for 2,869 corporator seats in 29 municipal corporations will take place on January 15.