06 June,2026 07:19 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Supriya Sule said reforms were needed to restore public confidence in the electoral process. File Pic/PTI
Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday announced that she would introduce a private member's bill in Parliament aimed at bringing greater transparency to elections where allegations of horse-trading frequently emerge, reported the PTI.
Her remarks come amid claims of inducements and pressure tactics ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections scheduled for June 18.
Speaking to reporters in Pune after an event, Sule said reforms were needed to restore public confidence in the electoral process, the news agency reported.
She suggested that either such indirect elections should be discontinued in their current form or open voting should be introduced to eliminate opportunities for horse-trading.
"I will move a bill in Parliament seeking structural changes to the electoral process. Allegations of horse-trading during elections must stop," she said.
According to the PTI, Supriya Sule defended the recent withdrawal of several candidates by constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance ahead of the elections to 16 Legislative Council seats from local self-government bodies.
She said the decision was taken collectively by leaders of the NCP (SP), Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) after discussions regarding concerns over possible horse-trading.
According to Sule, each constituency had its own political dynamics and the alliance acted to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
The Baramati MP stressed that elections at every level, from village panchayats to the Lok Sabha, should be conducted in a transparent manner.
She said recurring allegations of horse-trading during indirect elections had damaged public trust and highlighted the need for systemic reforms.
Sule confirmed that her party would attend the INDIA bloc meeting scheduled for June 8, as per the PTI.
She said Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal had personally invited the party to participate in the discussions.
The NCP (SP) leader alleged that central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax Department were being used against opposition parties.
She further criticised the Maharashtra government over issues related to farmers, unemployment and reservation, describing the administration as insensitive to the concerns of ordinary citizens.
The opposition MVA has alleged that pressure tactics and inducements are being used in the upcoming Legislative Council elections.
However, leaders of the ruling Mahayuti alliance have dismissed these allegations and denied any wrongdoing.
(with PTI inputs)
