Maharashtra MLC election results 2026: After BJP's criticism, Shinde's Shiv Sena has shot back at its ally over election loss. (Express Photo by Akash Pati;)

Hours after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) blamed Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena for Mahayuti’s loss in the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) election 2026, the Shiv Sena hit back at its ally, questioning its choice of candidate in the Pune Graduates’ constituency, where the party has lost to Sharad Pawar’s NCP.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Anand Paranjape said the candidate BJP fielded in Pune Graduates’ seat was not even its member, but an “outsider”, which, he said, may have caused discontent among the party’s loyal workers.

“Had BJP nominated a party worker who devoted their life and worked loyally for the party, that candidate would have certainly generated enthusiasm among the party workers and voters. However, fielding an outsider candidate caused discontent among loyal BJP workers.…