A three-day special session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly commenced with the swearing-in of newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and the election of a new Speaker. This crucial session has brought significant political developments to the forefront.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, all of whom took the oath of office and secrecy. However, the event was marked by controversy as some MLAs chose to boycott the proceedings.
Why Did Shiv Sena (Uddhav) Boycotts Oath-Taking?
Members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), part of the Mahavikas Aghadi alliance, refused to take their oaths. Their leader, Aditya Thackeray, justified the boycott by accusing the democratic process of being undermined.
Speaking to journalists, Thackeray claimed, “We have boycotted today because democracy is being killed through EVMs. This mandate is not of Maharashtra’s people but of EVMs and the Election Commission. We have not taken an oath to respect the public."
The Uddhav faction’s stance highlights growing dissatisfaction within the alliance, particularly over the outcomes of recent elections.
Internal Rifts in the Mahavikas Aghadi
The session also exposed rifts within the Mahavikas Aghadi, an alliance comprising the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), Congress, and the Samajwadi Party. While Shiv Sena boycotted the session, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi chose to take the oath. Azmi expressed displeasure with the alliance, citing a lack of coordination during the elections.
Azmi remarked, “The opposition people did not talk to us, there was no coordination in the elections, and there was no discussion on ticket distribution. So, what do we have to do with them?"
Azmi Criticizes Shiv Sena Leadership
Abu Azmi also criticized Uddhav Thackeray over his editorial in Saamana, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece, on the Babri Masjid issue. Azmi accused Thackeray of flip-flopping on ideological stances. "Uddhav Thackeray used to claim he had become secular, forming an alliance with Congress and the Samajwadi Party. But now, he is back to the same old rhetoric. If this continues, the Mahavikas Aghadi will struggle to survive," Azmi warned.
Implications for Maharashtra Politics
The ongoing discord within the Mahavikas Aghadi raises questions about the alliance's unity and effectiveness as a political force. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav)’s refusal to participate in the oath-taking ceremony, coupled with public criticism from other alliance members, underscores the fragile state of this coalition.
Prakash Kumar Pandey
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