India, Jan. 12 -- Cracks within the ruling Mahayuti alliance have spilled into the open as deputy CM Ajit Pawar and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis sparred over governance, freebies and corruption allegations ahead of the crucial BMC and civic body elections.

The latest flashpoint came on Sunday after Pawar hit back at Fadnavis for remarks made during the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) campaign, insisting that he was merely flagging governance failures and not launching personal attacks.

Speaking at a press briefing in Pimpri after unveiling the joint manifesto of his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), Ajit Pawar said his criticism had sharpened because civic elections were being held aft...