A Shiv Sena leader in Thane, Rajendra Sapte, protested after being denied a ticket for the upcoming civic polls. The seat, previously held by Sapte, was allocated to the BJP as part of a seat-sharing deal with Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde faction. Sapte alleges "blackmail" tactics by the BJP, while the Shiv Sena has allied with the BJP for the elections. The nomination process is ongoing, with withdrawals permitted until January 2.