06 June,2026 09:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis said that reforms in the election process could be considered. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday indicated support for discussions on electoral reforms after NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule announced that she would introduce a bill to curb alleged "horse trading" in elections, reported the PTI.
The remarks come amid allegations by the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of inducements and pressure tactics ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. The ruling Mahayuti alliance has rejected these claims.
Supriya Sule has said that she will move a bill in Parliament seeking greater transparency in elections where allegations of horse trading are raised. She has also suggested either reforming indirect elections or introducing open voting to prevent manipulation, according to the PTI.
Reacting to the development, CM Fadnavis said electoral reform was a matter of discussion and personal opinion, and that there was no objection to legislative proposals on the issue.
"If you understand that people can be won over through affection rather than money, then there will be no need to bring such a bill," he told reporters, the news agency reported.
He added that reforms in the election process could be considered, while stressing that different political views on the issue were natural in a democracy.
The comments come at a time when several Opposition candidates have withdrawn from the MLC race in different constituencies, leading to political controversy.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress have accused the ruling alliance of pressure tactics, allegations which have been denied by Mahayuti leaders, according to the PTI.
In related developments, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates Bal Mane and Devyani Patil-Dongankar withdrew their nominations from key constituencies, while two Congress candidates were suspended by the party after withdrawing from the contest.
CM Fadnavis also commented on speculation regarding former legislator Bal Mane's possible return to the BJP, stating that the decision would be taken by the state party leadership, as per the PTI.
He further said that no discussion had taken place yet on filling the vacancy arising from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar's resignation from the Rajya Sabha, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
