Maharashtra CM Race Highlights: Delay In Govt Formation An 'Insult' To The State, Aaditya Thackeray Says
Maharashtra Government Formation Highlights: Follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates on the formation of new government in Maharashtra following assembly polls.
Amid the suspense over the Chief Ministerial face in Maharashtra, caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Sunday returned to Mumbai from his native village in Satara, where he had gone to recuperate after a brief illness, ANI reported.
CPI-M Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas on Sunday wrote to the Election Commission of India stating that there is an "urgent need" for clarification on alleged discrepancies in voter turnout percentage of the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly polls.
The letter by Brittas has come two days after the Congress raised with the EC "serious and grave inconsistencies" which it said were being revealed in the data relating to the polling and counting processes for the Maharashtra elections.
In the letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Brittas said certain allegations have recently emerged in the public domain regarding voter turnout figures and post-poll patterns, particularly in the context of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
"Given the ECI's longstanding reputation for integrity and transparency, I am confident that these concerns will be addressed with the thoroughness they deserve to maintain the credibility of our electoral processes," the Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP said while expressing "profound respect" for the constitutional role of the Election Commission in safeguarding the country's democratic process.
He said concerns have emerged from various quarters regarding alleged anomalies in voter turnout figures.
Brittas said while data mentioned in news reports shows that at 5 pm, the turnout in Maharashtra was recorded at 58.22 per cent, by 11:30 pm, after accounting for voters in queues at 5 pm, this figure rose to 65.02 per cent.
Hours before counting commenced, the turnout was further updated to 66.05 per cent, marking an increase of 7.83 per cent equivalent to approximately 76 lakh additional votes, he said in the letter.
"While I am certain that the ECI has robust mechanisms in place to ensure the accuracy of voter turnout data, this apparent post-poll increase is claimed by many as higher than historical norms," he said.
The CPI-M MP said given the practical limitations of voting time, by accounting for those in queues after the formal closing time, accommodating such a large number of votes within next six hours raises questions on its logistical feasibility.
He said analysts have noted that a similar pattern is not observed in other states.
"For instance, data from Jharkhand elections reveals far smaller increases of 1.79 per cent and 0.86 per cent in two phases.
"Observers also suggest that large post-closing turnout surges may correlate with election outcomes favouring specific political blocs," he said.
Brittas said in states like Maharashtra and Haryana, where significant post poll surges occurred, the NDA emerged victorious, while in Jharkhand Assembly elections and UP Lok Sabha elections, where such surges were negligible, the Opposition performed better.
He said this correlations may be coincidental, it risks undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
"It is disheartening to note that despite several memoranda submitted by citizens, the Election Commission hasn't factually clarified the issue or released video footage of voters who remained in queues after the formal closing time during the Maharashtra elections to substantiate the extraordinary surge," he said.
Brittas added that experts have highlighted that historically, post-poll turnout increases average around 1 per cent, and that the 7.83 per cent surge observed in Maharashtra is "mystifying".
He said the Commission must address the concerns promptly to avoid speculation, maintain public trust, and uphold the legitimacy of democratic mandates.
"I earnestly urge the Commission to issue a detailed explanation of the post-poll closing turnout increases in Maharashtra, outlining the procedural safeguards and methodologies employed," he said.
Brittas also sought constitution of an expert committee to review voter turnout data and processes, particularly focusing on the logistical feasibility of post poll-closing vote accommodations, and urged the poll body to provide comparative data on post-poll closing data across states to address alleged disparities and and enhance transparency in managing turnout figures.
(PTI)
Shiv Sena MLA Gulabrao Patil on Sunday said the Eknath Shinde-led party would have won 90-100 seats in the November 20 assembly polls if Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party was not part of the Mahayuti.
The Mahayuti comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP. Pawar had joined the Shinde government in July last year and was made deputy CM.
"We contested only 85 seats. Without Ajitdada, we could have won 90-100 seats. Shinde never asked why Ajit Pawar-led NCP was inducted in his government," Patil told a regional news channel.
In the assembly polls, results of which were declared on November 23, the Mahayuti swept to victory getting 230 of the 288 seats in the state. The BJP led with 132 seats, followed by 57 for Shinde's Sena and 41 for NCP.
Speaking on government formation, Patil said caretaker chief minister Shinde is not upset.
"Our leader is large-hearted and not upset. He has achieved unprecedented success. He is a fighter who cannot be disheartened," said Patil, who won the recent polls from Jalgaon Rural by a margin of more than 59,000 votes.
He said the BJP will decide on the CM's name and the decision of the allies will have the support of Shinde. (PTI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday claimed the Mahayuti's inability to decide on a chief minister and form government more than a week after the announcement of assembly poll results was an "insult" to Maharashtra.
In a post on X, Thackeray also asked why President's rule has not yet been enforced in the state.
Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is the largest constituent of the Mahayuti, Thackeray claimed that to declare the swearing-in date unilaterally without even staking claim to form government is "pure anarchy".
The Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP retained power with a landslide victory in the assembly elections, the results of which were announced on November 23.
The oath-taking ceremony of the new Mahayuti government will take place on December 5 evening and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend it, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Saturday.
There has been no announcement yet on who would be the chief minister.
Devendra Fadnavis, who has been chief minister twice and was deputy CM in the last Eknath Shinde-led government, was the frontrunner for the post, according to BJP sources.
Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde headed to his native village Dare in Satara district on Friday, amid speculation that he was not happy with the way the new state government was shaping up.
Hitting out at the Mahayuti, Thackeray in a post on X said, "To not be able to decide on a chief minister, and form government, for more than a week after result day, is not just an insult to Maharashtra (for taking our state so lightly) but also to the assistance provided by their dearest Election Commission," Thackeray said.
It seems that rules only apply to the opposition parties, and not for some "special ones", the Shiv Sena (UBT) legislature party leader said in his post.
"To declare the swearing in date, unilaterally, without even staking claim to form government and show numbers to the Hon'ble Governor, is pure anarchy," he claimed.
"And in all this, the caretaker cm is on a mini vacation, as per the phase of the moon, as we've regularly observed earlier too," Thackeray said.
In the meanwhile, Maharashtra seems like no priority for those who could form government. They're enjoying their Delhi trips, he said sarcastically.
"Presidential rule? Shouldn’t it have been in place by now? Wouldn’t it have been, had the opposition had the numbers, with a decision pending?" asked the Sena (UBT) leader, who retained his Worli seat in Mumbai in the recently-concluded assembly polls. (PTI)
Satara: Maharashtra caretaker CM Eknath Shinde tells media, "I am doing good now. I had come here to rest after the hectic election schedule... I did not take any leave during my 2.5 years as the CM. People are still here to meet me. This is why I fell ill... This government will listen to the people... I have already given my unconditional support to the party leadership and I will support their decision... Our government's work in the last 2.5 years will be written in golden letters in history... This is why people have given us a historic mandate and did not give the opposition a chance to elect a leader of opposition... All three allies of the Mahayuti have a good understanding... The CM candidate will be decided tomorrow..." (ANI)
The Election Commission has invited Congress for a meeting on December 3 to address concerns raised by the party regarding the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Maharashtra caretaker CM Eknath Shinde arrived at Janani Devi temple in Satara.
BJP leader Raosaheb Danve said the name of Maharashtra's new chief minister has been finalised and a confirmation is awaited from the senior party leadership.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday said the Mahayuti's inability to decide on a chief minister and form government more than a week after the announcement of assembly poll results was an "insult" to Maharashtra.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis called ally Eknath Shinde to check on his health amid Maharashtra suspense.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut meets NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. Supriya Sule is also present at the meeting.
Farmers arrive at the residence of Maharashtra caretaker CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde in Satara, to meet him.
Republican Party of India (Sachin Kharat group) leader Sachin Kharat has demanded to postpone the date for swearing-in ceremony saying December 6 is Mahaparinirvana Day of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
The oath-taking ceremony of the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra will take place on December 5 evening at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend it, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule .
The oath-taking ceremony of the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra will take place on December 5 evening at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend it, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule .
The Mahayuti constituents in Maharashtra will sit together and decide whether only chief minister and deputy CMs will take oath on December 5 or ministers will also be sworn in, a senior leader of the alliance said on Sunday.
Background
Maharashtra Government Formation Highlights: Follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates on the formation of new government in Maharashtra following assembly polls. The stalemate over the name of the new chief minister in Maharashtra continues to linger though Bharatiya Janata Party's Devendra Fadnavis is still said to be the frontrunner.
While the CM pick is yet to be announced, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the oath-taking ceremony will take place on December 5 at 5 pm at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.
The swearing-in ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also, Bawankule said.
Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who headed to his native village Dare in Satara district a day before amid speculation that he was not happy with the way the new government was shaping up, has taken ill, as per his aide. He was running temperature of 105 degrees F, the aide said.
On Saturday, NCP chief Ajit Pawar said the CM will be from the BJP, while there will be deputy CMs from the two allies -- his party and the Shiv Sena.
Sanjay Shirsat, Shiv Sena leader close to Shinde said the party must get the home portfolio claiming attempts were being made to sideline Shinde.
Meanwhile, a BJP leader said a meeting of the party will be held on December 2 to elect the leader of the BJP legislature party and added that Fadnavis is likely to get the CM post this time.
Shinde is at a fissure within his party as one faction thinks he should not become a deputy CM, having been the chief minister for more than two years while another group of party leaders insists that he must be part of the new government.
The Mahayuti alliance comprising Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party, and Shiv Sena swept the Maharashtra assembly polls with BJP bagging 132 seats followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and NCP with 41 seats.
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