We Want Maha Polls to be Held Again, We Want EC to be Fair: Sule
The recent Maharashtra assembly polls have been marred by controversy, with various parties crying foul over the conduct of the elections. One such leader is Supriya Sule, a prominent NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) leader and daughter of party chief Sharad Pawar. In a recent statement, Sule raised concerns over the poll results and demanded re-elections, citing issues with party symbols and the need for fairness from the Election Commission (EC).
“We want re-elections on ballot paper to be held even at those constituencies where our candidates have won,” Sule said, pointing to 11 seats where the party had secured victories, but claimed that the elections were marred by confusion between party symbols. “We only demand the election commission to be fair,” she added.
Sule’s comments come amidst growing discontent among opposition parties over the conduct of the polls. The NCP has been a key partner in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, along with the Shiv Sena and the Congress, and has been critical of the EC’s handling of the elections.
The controversy surrounding the polls centers around the confusion between party symbols, with several constituencies witnessing a high number of invalid votes due to voters marking the wrong symbol. The NCP had fielded candidates on the same symbol as the BJP in several constituencies, leading to confusion among voters.
Sule’s demand for re-elections has been echoed by other opposition leaders, who have also raised concerns over the EC’s handling of the polls. The Congress has been particularly vocal in its criticism, with party leaders alleging that the EC had biasedly treated the MVA government and its allies.
The EC, on the other hand, has maintained that the polls were conducted fairly and transparently. In a statement, the EC said that it had taken necessary measures to prevent voting irregularities and that the results were a reflection of the will of the people.
However, Sule and other opposition leaders remain unconvinced. They argue that the EC’s handling of the polls was biased and that the results do not accurately reflect the mood of the people. “We want the EC to be fair and impartial,” Sule said. “We want the people to be given another chance to exercise their franchise freely and fairly.”
The controversy over the polls has also raised questions over the EC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections. The EC has been under fire in recent years over its handling of various polls, including the 2019 general elections and the 2018 Karnataka assembly polls.
The BJP, which emerged as the single largest party in the Maharashtra polls, has been quick to dismiss the opposition’s allegations of bias. In a statement, the party said that the EC had conducted the polls in a transparent and fair manner and that the results were a reflection of the people’s choice.
However, the controversy over the polls is unlikely to die down anytime soon. With the opposition parties demanding re-elections and the EC maintaining that the polls were fair, the stage is set for a long and bitter battle over the conduct of the elections.
In conclusion, the controversy over the Maharashtra polls is a stark reminder of the importance of fair and transparent elections. The EC must take steps to address the concerns of all stakeholders and ensure that the polls are conducted in a free and fair manner. Only then can the people of Maharashtra have faith in the democratic process and the leaders who represent them.
