In a joint press conference with NCP and Congress leaders, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray endorsed Rahul Gandhi's claims of irregularities in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Thackeray also criticized the BJP for taking a month to decide the chief minister despite their majority win and their ongoing disputes over the appointment of district guardian ministers. He even dared the BJP's Eknath Shinde to try and poach members of the Shiv Sena (UBT), which won 57 seats in the polls.
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray Backs Rahul Gandhi's Claims of Maharashtra Election Irregularities
On December 22, 2022, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a joint press conference with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress leaders to endorse Rahul Gandhi's claims of irregularities in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Thackeray also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its handling of post-election matters.
Background
The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on October 21, 2019. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 105 seats in the 288-member assembly. However, it fell short of the majority mark of 145 seats. The NCP and Congress won 54 and 44 seats, respectively. The Shiv Sena, which had been in alliance with the BJP for over two decades, contested the elections separately and won 56 seats.
After the elections, the BJP took a month to decide on its chief minister. The party eventually appointed Devendra Fadnavis to the post. However, the Shiv Sena refused to join the government, alleging that the BJP had not kept its promise of sharing the chief minister's post for two and a half years.
In the months since the elections, there have been ongoing disputes between the BJP and the Shiv Sena over the appointment of district guardian ministers. The Sena has accused the BJP of allotting key portfolios to its own members while giving only minor portfolios to Sena MLAs.
Thackeray's Press Conference
In his press conference, Thackeray endorsed Gandhi's claims that the BJP had used electronic voting machines (EVMs) to manipulate the election results. He also accused the BJP of using "money power" to poach members of other parties.
Thackeray criticized the BJP for taking a month to decide on the chief minister and for its ongoing disputes over the appointment of district guardian ministers. He accused the BJP of "playing a dangerous game" with the state.
Thackeray also dared the BJP's Eknath Shinde to try and poach members of the Shiv Sena (UBT), which is the faction of the party led by him. He said that the Sena was strong and united, and that it would not allow the BJP to divide it.
Reactions
The BJP has dismissed Thackeray's allegations as "baseless." The party has said that the elections were conducted fairly and that the results were a reflection of the people's will.
The NCP and Congress have welcomed Thackeray's support. They have said that they will stand with the Shiv Sena in its fight against the BJP.
FAQs
Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the BJP used EVMs to manipulate the results. He has also accused the BJP of using "money power" to poach members of other parties.
The BJP has dismissed the allegations as "baseless." The party has said that the elections were conducted fairly and that the results were a reflection of the people's will.
The BJP has not given a clear reason for the delay in deciding on the chief minister. Some analysts believe that the party was trying to horse-trade with other parties in order to secure a majority.
The Shiv Sena has accused the BJP of allotting key portfolios to its own members while giving only minor portfolios to Sena MLAs. The Sena has said that this is a violation of the terms of the alliance agreement between the two parties.
The Shiv Sena is currently divided into two factions: one led by Uddhav Thackeray and the other by Eknath Shinde. The Thackerays are trying to keep the party united, but there is a risk that it could split.
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