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Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on 31 May asked opposition parties to "unitedly boycott" elections if controversies surrounding electronic voting machines are not resolved quickly.
He also threatened to drag the Election Commission to court over the Palghar bypoll result and sought suspension of election officers over the "sudden increase" in voting percentage there.
The Election Commission had earlier rejected allegations levelled by the Shiv Sena that irregularities in electronic voting machines led to the defeat of its candidate in the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, saying that the winning BJP candidate has been issued a certificate.
Quoting chief electoral officer of Maharashtra, an Election Commission spokesperson said the election process for Palghar constituency has been completed and the returning officer there has rejected a plea of Sena candidate for a recount.
Thackeray, however, raised questions over the commission’s authority.
He also sought a clarification on the "sudden increase" in voter turnout a day after the Palghar bypoll.
"The election officials concerned should be suspended for discrepancies in voter turnout percentage," Thackeray said.
Hours after the Shiv Sena party chief said that the BJP government did not need allies anymore, Maharashtra BJP leader Chandrakant Patil ruled out the possibility of the Sena walking out of the NDA.
"Uddhav will not take a step that will benefit the opposition Congress," the Revenue Minister told reporters.
Union Minister of Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir echoed Patil’s sentiments, saying, “We did fight an election against them. We (BJP & Shiv Sena) are two parties but we have the same ideology. We have an alliance with them & you can have some differences with your partners but that doesn’t mean we are quitting the alliance.”
Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Fadnavis too seemed confident of the alliance staying intact.
In the keenly-contested Palghar by-election, results for which were announced today, BJP's Rajendra Gavit defeated Shrinivas Wanaga of the Sena by 29,572 votes.
However, the BJP lost the Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha seat to the NCP, which fought the elections in an alliance with the Congress.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel said that no one will believe Thackeray till the time he is supporting the BJP. He should quit the alliance & everyone will believe what he says.
State Congress President Ashok Chavan said, “We didn't expect to lose Palghar seat. If the united opposition had fought together, BJP could have been defeated. If Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi and CPI(M) come with us in the future, we can win Palghar also.”
He further added, “The chief minister violated the model code of conduct. BJP supporters were seen distributing money, but no one took any action which is a real cause of concern. This can be called CM & BJP’s victory with 'Saam daam dand bhed'.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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