Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has responded sharply to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s allegations questioning the legitimacy of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Pawar advised the opposition to take their concerns to the Election Commission of India (ECI) or approach the judiciary for resolution.
“There is no point in making such allegations here. If they do not get justice from the ECI, they should approach the court,” Ajit Pawar remarked during the ongoing special session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Thackeray Raises EVM Concerns, Boycotts Oath-Taking Ceremony
Aaditya Thackeray raised doubts about EVMs, questioning the lack of public enthusiasm following the election results. “If this was truly the mandate of the people, there would have been celebrations. We doubt the legitimacy of the EVMs,” he stated. Consequently, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs boycotted the oath-taking ceremony as a mark of protest.
Accompanied by party workers, Aaditya Thackeray paid homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Vidhan Bhavan complex, signaling their intent to focus on the party’s ideological stance during the special session.
Ajit Pawar on Shivaji and Ambedkar Ideals
In his address, Ajit Pawar reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to the ideologies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He expressed gratitude to voters for supporting the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which secured a commanding 235 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena at 57 seats and the NCP with 41.
Election Results and Political Alignments
The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections marked a significant setback for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. Congress managed just 16 seats, while Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 20, and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) claimed 10 seats.
The Mahayuti alliance’s victory also saw Devendra Fadnavis take oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister for the third time. Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers during the event, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaker Election on December 9
The three-day special session continues, with the election for the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker scheduled for December 9. Senior BJP MLA Kalidas Sulochana Kolambkar has been sworn in as the pro-tem Speaker to oversee proceedings.
What Lies Ahead?
With the Mahayuti alliance consolidating power, political dynamics in Maharashtra remain under scrutiny. The Shiv Sena (UBT)’s protest against EVMs raises questions about the opposition’s strategy in challenging the government and re-establishing public trust.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
