Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has launched a sharp critique against opposition parties, accusing them of applying double standards regarding candidates winning elections unopposed. The remarks came during a public gathering in Dhule on Tuesday.
Selective Outcry Over Unopposed Victories
Fadnavis addressed the recent scenario in the Nashik Municipal Corporation polls, where several candidates were elected without contest. He pointed out that opposition groups have been objecting vehemently to these unopposed wins, labelling them a 'murder of democracy'.
The Chief Minister countered this narrative by presenting historical data. He reminded the audience that in the nation's history, a total of 35 Members of Parliament have been elected unopposed. Significantly, 33 of these instances occurred when the Congress party was in power at the centre.
Historical Precedent vs. Current Criticism
"When those 33 MPs were elected unopposed with Congress in office, democracy was considered to be thriving and functioning perfectly," Fadnavis stated. He highlighted the apparent contradiction in the opposition's stance, suggesting their reaction depends entirely on who benefits from the uncontested election.
"However, when corporators in local civic bodies get elected unopposed today, the same situation suddenly becomes a 'murder of democracy' for these parties," he asserted at the gathering. This, according to him, exposes a politically motivated and inconsistent approach to democratic processes.
The Political Context and Implications
The comments are set against the backdrop of ongoing political tussles surrounding urban local body elections in Maharashtra. Unopposed victories, while legal, often become a focal point for allegations of coercion, lack of fair play, or unhealthy political ecosystems.
By invoking the Congress party's historical record, Fadnavis aimed to deflect criticism aimed at the current ruling dispensation. His argument seeks to normalise the phenomenon of unopposed wins as a long-standing, accepted part of Indian electoral politics, rather than a new crisis.
The speech in Dhule underscores the escalating war of words between Maharashtra's ruling coalition and the opposition as they prepare for more local electoral battles. The focus on Nashik's civic polls indicates the strategic importance the region holds for all major political players in the state.
