Shiv Sena (UBT) cheif Uddhav Thackeray (L) and Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis (R). (Image: PTI)
Blame game erupted between Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP on Monday after Uddhav Thackeray alleged slow voting in Mumbai and accused the saffron party of using Election Commission
As 13 constituencies in Maharashtra went to vote on Monday, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray alleged slow voting in Mumbai and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the Election Commission as it is fearing defeat in the state. Responding to Thackeray’s allegations, BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attacked Shiv Sena (UBT) for falsely accusing the BJP and said that the party chief is laying the groundwork to deal with the post-June 4 situation.
Lashing out at the saffron camp, Uddhav Thackeray while addressing a press conference accused the administration for low voter turnout in Mumbai.
“Wherever we have lead, the machine is not properly arranged. Machines are shut down. This is a play of the Modi government. They are fearing defeat,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said.
Thackeray also accused the Election Commission of being biased. He also stated that the saffrom camp is using the poll body as a doormat as it fears defeat in Maharastra in Lok Sabha Polls.
“People are being deliberately harassed. This is a game played by the Election Commission. Where our percentage is going to be higher, the turnout is decreasing. The Election Commission is biased. Identity cards are being asked repeatedly in certain communities. Modi government is using the Election Commission as a doormat for fear of defeat,” he added.
‘We Were First To…’: Fadnavis Responds
Responding to the allegations levelled by Uddhav Thackeray on BJP, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed that it was the BJP who first complained about the slow pace of voting in Mumbai to the poll body and stated that the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief was laying the groundwork to deal with the post-June 4 situation. He further urged the Mumbaikars to go and vote in large numbers and added that even after 6 o’clock, everyone inside the polling booth can cast their vote.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Fadnavis in Marathi wrote, “We were the first to complain to the Commission about the slow pace of voting in Mumbai. But now, as usual, Uddhav Thackeray has started his rallying cry. As usual, they have started accusing Modi ji when the defeat is clear in front of them. They are now laying the groundwork to deal with the post-June 4 situation.”
“Apart from this, threats are also being given to the officers involved in the election process. My request to all Mumbaikars is to go to the polling station and vote in large numbers. As many people as are inside even after 6 pm, everyone can vote. So do not exercise your right to vote,” Fadnavis added.
मुंबईत संथ गतीने मतदान होत असल्याची तक्रार सर्वप्रथम आम्हीच आयोगाकडे केली.आता मात्र, नेहमीप्रमाणे उद्धव ठाकरे यांनी त्यांचे रडगाणे सुरु केले आहे. पराभव समोर स्पष्ट दिसत असताना त्यांनी सवयीप्रमाणे मोदीजींवर आरोप करणे प्रारंभ केले आहे. 4 जूननंतरच्या स्थितीला सामोरे जाण्याची…— Devendra Fadnavis (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Dev_Fadnavis) May 20, 2024
‘Voters In Queue Can Vote Even After 6 PM’: Office Of Maharashtra CEO
Notably, following reports of slow voting, the Office of the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer issued a statement and said that any voter, who is in queue, is entitled to vote even after 6 pm.
“Any voter, who is in the queue, at 6 pm is entitled to vote. The polling station will continue to function till all the voters who were in the queue at 6 pm cast their vote,” the statement read.
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