Pune, January 13, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party has intensified its criticism of the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar, accusing it and other parties of violating election norms by installing illegal hoardings across Pune ahead of the civic body polls.
Maharashtra BJP general secretary Rajesh Pande said on Monday that the party has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India, alleging unauthorised flex banners and hoardings in several parts of the city. According to the BJP, these displays violate the Model Code of Conduct, which came into force with the announcement of municipal elections. While the BJP and the NCP are allies in the state government, they are contesting the local body elections independently.
Addressing the issue in Pune, Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that his party does not support illegal hoardings. He said BJP workers have been instructed to refrain from putting up flex banners or hoardings that deface the city, stressing the importance of preserving Pune’s civic aesthetics. Fadnavis also noted recently that although parties had agreed to “friendly fights,” the restraint shown by some candidates appears to be weakening.
The BJP’s Pune unit has announced its intent to make the city “flex-free” during the campaign period, stating that strict internal directives have been issued to ensure compliance with election rules.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including Pune, are scheduled for January 15. With campaigning entering its final phase today, the hoardings controversy has injected fresh political intensity into an already charged electoral atmosphere in the city.
