Posters and cutouts installed to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. File | Photo credit: ANI
The opposition in Maharashtra on Tuesday (Feb 17, 2026) criticized the ruling alliance for covering Mumbai with wall panels to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron, saying the display amounted to undue politicization of the state visit.
Political parties and citizens on social media also sought anti-hoarding measures, which they said were placed in violation of the Bombay High Court’s order against them.
Opposition party leaders have raised objections over the 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 argue, falls strictly within the realm of official government procedures.
“Receiving a visiting dignitary is a matter of state protocol, not a platform for political parties to show off. By putting up these posters, they are projecting Mr. Macron as if he is the leader of their own party or the president of the country,” said senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. The opposition called on the authorities to ensure that established diplomatic courtesies were observed during the French president’s visit.
The opposition also raised legal objections to the hoardings, claiming they violated the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995. Queries were directed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to clarify what steps are being taken to remove the unauthorized banners and whether action will be taken against those who erected them.
Published – 18 Feb 2026 02:24 IST