A land-deal controversy involving the son of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister has nonetheless placed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition under pressure ahead of local civic elections, according to party insiders. An inquiry committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) has been commissioned to examine the transaction, with a deadline of one month to submit its findings.
The controversy centres around an alleged land-sale arrangement in Pune, where the Deputy Chief Minister’s son is reportedly linked, triggering demands from within the alliance for swift action. Sources say the Chief Minister emphasised the seriousness of the matter and mandated the probe. The timeline coincides with impending local body polls and seat-sharing talks in major municipal corporations including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Political strategists suggest the BJP’s dominance in both urban and rural local bodies is central to its 2029 assembly-poll preparations. Allies in the coalition appear concerned that the ongoing investigation could weaken their negotiation position during seat allocation processes. Analysts observe that the issue underscores how ethical and governance matters are gaining traction ahead of local elections.
For now, the BJP has publicly maintained that due process will be followed, and no official comment has been made regarding the individual accused. The probe’s outcome may influence how the coalition presents itself to voters, particularly in constituencies where governance and integrity are key electoral concerns.
