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State may seek extension of 15 to 20 days to hold civic polls if there's heavy rain, says Fadnavis

- Abhay Khairnar

PUNE: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that there is no hurdle in holding civic body elections in Maharashtra as per the timeline set by the Supreme Court.

"The State Election Commission (SEC) has started preparations. Our effort is to hold elections within four months, as directed by the SC. If there's heavy rain, we may seek an extension of 15 to 20 days," he said, speaking to reporters in Pune ahead of a conclave for municipal commissioners and council chief executive officers (CEOs).

Fadnavis also reiterated that the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), will contest the civic polls together—except in areas where seat-sharing may not be feasible.

"In cities where the alliance is obvious and can work out smoothly, we'll contest together. Where our workers prefer to go solo, we will allow that, without attacking our allies."

"In places where we will go solo, we will focus on a positive campaign and certainly explore post-poll alliances," he said.