Maharashtra civic elections 2026 LIVE Updates: Take action against `ink removers`, says BJP`s Shelar

Maharashtra civic elections 2026 LIVE Updates: If claims were genuine, formal complaint should have been filed, says Shelar

"If the claims were genuine, a formal complaint should have been filed. The accusations are aimed at deriving political mileage," Shelar said. The Election Commission is an autonomous institution and any attempt to repeatedly create an atmosphere of suspicion would not be tolerated, the BJP MLA added.

Maharashtra civic elections 2026 LIVE Updates: Issue of voting ink being politicised 

Shelar alleged the issue of ink was being politicised instead of being pursued through legal channels. Questioning the timing of the allegations by the Thackeray cousins, Shelar said holding a press conference and levelling charges against the Election Commission on polling day could create confusion among voters and dent the credibility of the electoral process.

Maharashtra civic elections 2026 LIVE Updates: EC allegations irresponsible, weaken democracy, says BJP’s Ashish Shelar

Shelar told reporters it remains to be seen if any of those making public accusations had lodged or would lodge any formal complaint with the EC. The remarks against the Election Commission are irresponsible and casting aspersions on the constitutional body amounted to weakening the democratic process, he added.

Maharashtra civic elections 2026 LIVE Updates: `People who are wiping off ink are attempting bogus voting`

Even Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin and MNS`s Raj Thackeray raised the issue and questioned the role of the Election Commission. Hitting back, Shelar said, "People who are wiping off ink are attempting bogus voting. A criminal case must be registered against them and a thorough probe should be conducted. Strict action is necessary to protect the sanctity of elections and to ascertain the real motive behind creating confusion over the ink."