Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, launched a scathing attack on the State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday, labelling its decision to postpone municipal council elections across several civic bodies as "arbitrary, legally indefensible, and deeply unfair." The strong criticism was delivered during a press interaction in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
A Decision That Sets a Dangerous Precedent
Fadnavis expressed grave concern that the SEC's move to delay the polls, which were imminent, could establish a harmful precedent for the future of democratic processes in the state. He argued that allowing elections to be stalled simply because a candidate approaches the court opens the door for repeated disruptions through litigation.
"Cancelling these elections is extremely wrong. If this approach is taken, everyone will go to court every time, and then the election will be postponed. This has never happened before," Fadnavis stated emphatically. He cautioned that such actions undermine the electoral process and disrespect the efforts of all stakeholders.
Questioning the Legal Basis and Citing Nilanga Example
The senior BJP leader pointed out that the SEC has failed to provide clarity on the specific legal provisions it relied upon to suspend the election process. "I have no idea which law the Election Commission is citing or whose advice the Election Commission is taking," he remarked. He added that based on his legal understanding and consultations with experts, elections cannot be postponed in this manner merely due to a court petition by an individual.
To illustrate his point, Fadnavis cited the specific case of the Nilanga Municipal Council. He revealed that he had spoken with local leader Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar on Sunday. In Nilanga, the entire electoral process was reportedly complete before a candidate, whose nomination form was rejected, approached the court. "The court rejected his form. Why was it accepted?" Fadnavis questioned, arguing that postponing the election based on such a petition is fundamentally incorrect.
An Injustice to Candidates and Voters
Fadnavis framed the last-minute postponement as a significant injustice to hundreds of candidates and local voters. He highlighted the substantial losses incurred by candidates who had invested considerable time, financial resources, and effort into their campaigns, only to see their preparations go to waste.
"My opinion is that legally, the Election Commission postponing the elections is completely wrong. What an injustice this is to those candidates who honestly completed all the formalities," he said. He also criticised the extended campaign period now required, calling it an unnecessary burden on the candidates.
While affirming the constitutional autonomy of the SEC, Fadnavis firmly disagreed with its decision. "They have the right to make decisions. But my opinion is that this decision is wrong," he concluded. The state government plans to formally challenge the move by submitting a detailed representation to the Commission, urging it to reconsider.
Denying any allegations of government interference, Fadnavis clarified that the Urban Development Department had no role in the SEC's decision, reiterating the commission's autonomous status. He also noted that several district collectors had expressed concerns about the postponement during a video conference held prior to the order.
