Avinash Jadhav, head of the Thane unit of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), urged the court to stay the declaration of results in 68 seats and to initiate a court-monitored inquiry into alleged “mass withdrawals” of candidates under coercion
MNS leader Avinash Jadhav has moved the Bombay High Court. File Pic
A dispute over the 'unopposed' victories of Mahayuti nominees ahead of the January 15 Maharashtra local body elections reached the Bombay High Court on Monday after a Raj Thackeray-led MNS leader moved the Mumbai court.
Avinash Jadhav, head of the Thane unit of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), urged the court to stay the declaration of results in 68 seats and to initiate a court-monitored inquiry into alleged “mass withdrawals” of candidates under coercion, according to the PTI.
In a plea filed through advocate Asim Sarode, Jadhav alleged that opposition aspirants were “forced, intimidated or enticed” to withdraw their nominations through corrupt practices, violating the free and fair election mandate under Article 243-ZA of the Constitution.
Opposition leaders raise alarm
The issue has dominated campaign discussions ahead of the municipal elections, which cover 29 corporations and involve complex alliances.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, speaking alongside MNS chief Raj Thackeray while unveiling their joint manifesto for the Mumbai civic polls, called on the State Election Commission (SEC) to cancel results in the 68 civic wards where Mahayuti nominees were declared winners unopposed. He argued that such victories deny first-time and Gen Z voters their right to vote and warned that democracy should not be overrun by “mobocracy,” as per the PTI.
BJP and Mahayuti leaders defend unopposed wins
Countering the Opposition, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused critics of “finding excuses” due to fear of electoral defeat. “They can certainly go to court, but the people’s mandate has elected us. Even if they move the court, the people’s mandate will prevail,” he stated.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule defended unopposed wins, asserting that they are permissible under existing rules and can be beneficial for democracy. He added that several candidates in local bodies and gram panchayats have historically been elected unopposed.
Congress demands NOTA option
Adding to the controversy, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded that voters should be allowed to use the None of the Above (NOTA) option even in wards where candidates are elected unopposed.
He alleged that the BJP-led Mahayuti is undermining democracy by using pressure, threats, and money power to ensure uncontested victories. Sapkal claimed that the ruling parties are preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations with the alleged support of police and civic administration, while the Election Commission remains a “mute spectator.”
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(with PTI inputs)
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