Opposition slams ruling alliance over welcome to Macron

The Opposition in Maharashtra criticised the ruling alliance on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) for blanketing Mumbai with hoardings to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron, alleging that the display represents an inappropriate politicisation of a state visit.

Political parties and citizens on social media also sought action against the hoardings which they said were put up in contravention to the Bombay High Court order against them.

Objections have been raised by leaders from opposition parties regarding posters put up by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. They argue that the hoardings blur the lines between government protocol and political propaganda. The reception of a foreign head of state, they assert, falls strictly within the domain of official government procedure.

“The reception of a visiting dignitary is a matter of state protocol, not a platform for political parties to showcase themselves. By putting up these posters, they are projecting Mr. Macron as though he were a leader of their own party or the country’s President,” senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated. The Opposition has called upon the authorities to ensure that established diplomatic courtesies are upheld throughout the French President’s visit.

The Opposition has also raised legal objections to the hoardings, contending that they violate the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act of 1995. Queries have been directed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, seeking clarification on what steps are being taken to remove the unauthorised banners and whether action would be initiated against those who erected them.