BJP leader Ashish Shelar has launched a sharp criticism against Raj Thackeray. Shelar accused Thackeray of conceding defeat in the recent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. He said Thackeray is now blaming the State Election Commission (SEC) for his party's poor performance.
Shelar's Direct Accusation
Ashish Shelar made these remarks in response to a question from journalists. He stated clearly that Raj Thackeray is inventing baseless excuses. According to Shelar, Thackeray wants to deflect responsibility for his party's disappointing results in the BMC polls.
Deflecting Responsibility
Shelar emphasized that blaming the SEC is simply a way to pass the buck. He suggested that Thackeray should accept the electoral outcome instead of finding fault with the election commission. The BJP leader implied that voters have delivered their verdict through the ballot box.
Political Context in Maharashtra
This exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions in Maharashtra. The BMC elections are crucial for control of India's richest municipal corporation. Raj Thackeray's party faced significant setbacks in these polls according to available reports.
Election Commission's Role
The State Election Commission oversees civic polls in Maharashtra. Shelar's comments defend the SEC's conduct during the election process. He appears to be challenging Thackeray's allegations against the commission's functioning.
Political observers note that such post-election blame games are common in Indian politics. However, Shelar's direct confrontation with Thackeray adds intensity to this particular episode. The BJP leader has chosen to publicly counter Thackeray's narrative about the election results.
This development comes at a time when municipal governance in Mumbai remains a contested political space. Various parties continue to jockey for influence in the city's administration. The BMC poll results have clearly reshaped some political equations in Maharashtra's capital.