Maharashtra Polls: Opposition MLAs Boycott Oath Ceremony Alleging EVM Tampering; Ruling Mahayuti Calls Allegations Baseless

Mumbai, December 7:

Opposition MLAs Boycott Oath Ceremony : A political storm broke out in Maharashtra as the newly elected opposition MLAs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) boycotted the oath-taking ceremony in the state assembly, alleging large-scale tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the recently concluded assembly elections. The MVA, on the other hand, is protesting after a thumping victory for the ruling Mahayuti alliance, made up of BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), which won a whopping 230 seats in the assembly out of the total 288.

Opposition MLAs Boycott Oath Ceremony Alleging EVM Tampering

Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray led the charge of the opposition, claiming that the election results were manipulated through EVMs. “We boycotted the oath-taking ceremony today as democracy is being murdered by the use of EVMs. This is not the mandate of the public; it is the mandate of EVMs and the Election Commission of India,” said Thackeray.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray says, "We boycotted the oath-taking ceremony today as democracy is being murdered by the use of EVMs…This (the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections) is not the mandate of the public it is the mandate of EVM and… pic.twitter.com/3dPx3gvvFM

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2024

The opposition also raised their voices about the situation in Markadwadi village in Solapur’s Malshiras constituency, where the entire village demanded a re-poll using ballot papers due to distrust in EVMs. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar asked the Election Commission why they were opposing the re-poll at Markadwadi when the whole village was demanding the same if there was no problem with EVMs.

Election Results: A Huge Blow to MVA

The MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena UBT and NCP of Sharad Pawar faction, collectively won only 53 seats with a significant defeat. On the other hand, BJP becomes the single largest party after winning 132 seats with Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) winning 57 seats and Ajit Pawar-led NCP clinching 41 seats as well. The results would further deepen the divide in the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition.

Mahayuti Response: ‘Take Grievances to EC or Court’

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar reacted to the allegations by rubbishing the opposition claims as baseless. “If they have any grievances against the EVMs, they should approach the Election Commission. If they don’t get justice there, they can go to court,” said Pawar. He accused the opposition of making a political issue out of it and asked them to respect the people’s mandate.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar says, "There is no point in making such allegations here. They (opposition) should go to the Election Commission and if they do not get justice there, they should approach the court." https://t.co/qbHEHsgJJv pic.twitter.com/MRCYmNILen

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2024

The newly elected Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, were among the key leaders who took their oaths in the special session of the assembly. The oath was administered by Pro-tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar to the MLAs. That marked the beginning of the term for the new government.

Tough Times Ahead for the New Assembly

This is an overcast shadow to the new legislative assembly session that commenced with a three-day special session. Curfews have been in place in Markadwadi as the opposition and their allies are protesting for EVM integrity.

The Mahayuti government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, has promised stability and development, but the opposition’s persistent allegations signal a tumultuous term ahead.