Leaders from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have leveled serious allegations of electoral malpractice in the upcoming Thane municipal polls. On Tuesday, they met with the chief election officer and Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, accusing two returning officers of manipulating the nomination process to ensure that candidates from the ruling Shiv Sena win unopposed in several wards.
Parties Issue Ultimatum, Threaten Protest
The delegation presented their grievances separately but with a unified demand for immediate action. Avinash Jadhav, the MNS Thane-Palghar president, issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum. He warned that if no concrete steps are taken against the accused officials, his party workers will stage a sit-in protest right outside the municipal commissioner's office. This move signals a significant escalation in the political tension surrounding the civic elections.
Detailed Allegations of Coercion and Trivial Rejections
The allies presented a detailed account of the alleged irregularities. Their primary complaint is that the police force was misused to pressure rival candidates into withdrawing their nominations. Furthermore, they charged that the returning officers (ROs) were deliberately rejecting nomination papers filed by independent candidates and those from the opposition on frivolous and trivial grounds. This, they argue, is a deliberate strategy to reduce or eliminate competition in key wards, paving the way for easy victories for the ruling party's nominees.
Senior Leaders Demand Inquiry and Transfers
The demand for accountability was echoed by prominent figures. Former MP Rajan Vichare and Shiv Sena (UBT) district chief Kedar Dighe joined the call for a thorough and impartial investigation into the entire nomination process. They also demanded the immediate transfer of the two returning officers in question to ensure a free and fair election environment moving forward.
Adding a layer of political rhetoric, MNS leader Avinash Jadhav also took a swipe at the ruling Mahayuti alliance's manifesto promises of transparency. He mockingly challenged them to publicly disclose the amount of money he claimed was offered to opposition candidates to withdraw from the fray. "That would be the real test of their transparency," he stated, casting further doubt on the ethical conduct of the poll process.
The ball is now in the court of the election authorities and the municipal commissioner. Their response within the next 24 hours will likely determine whether Thane witnesses a fresh wave of political agitation or a swift administrative intervention to address these grave charges.
