CM Devendra Fadnavis to Skip Campaigning for Maharashtra Zilla Parishad Elections

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has decided not to participate in campaigning for the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, following the tragic death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. Fadnavis informed local leaders and party officials that while he will abstain from election rallies, they are expected to carry out campaign activities for the elections scheduled on 7 February 2026.

Originally, Fadnavis was slated to address 22 election meetings in seven days, but in light of the three-day state mourning declared after Ajit Pawar’s death in Baramati on 28 January, he chose to refrain from public campaigning.

Revised Election Schedule
The State Election Commission amended the schedule: voting, initially set for 5 February, will now be held on 7 February, with counting scheduled for 9 February. A total of 20,718 candidates are contesting the elections. Of these, 7,695 candidates are vying for 731 Zilla Parishad seats, while 13,023 candidates are contesting 1,462 Panchayat Samiti seats. Voting will take place from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM at 25,482 polling stations across Maharashtra.

Fadnavis emphasized that during rallies, political statements are natural, but the party has understood and supported his decision to abstain, respecting the period of mourning.