In a dramatic turn of events, Maharashtra’s political stage witnessed high-voltage drama on Saturday as opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) MLAs boycotted the oath-taking ceremony in the legislative assembly, citing allegations of electronic voting machine (EVM) misuse. The session marked the formal swearing-in of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, alongside other MLAs.
MVA’s Protest Raises Eyebrows
The opposition members abstained from taking the oath, questioning the integrity of the recently concluded assembly elections that delivered a sweeping victory to the Mahayuti alliance. They alleged that the results, which saw the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP securing 230 out of 288 seats, were influenced by EVM manipulation.
Addressing reporters outside the Vidhan Bhavan, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray explained the boycott. “When a government wins with such a massive mandate, it’s usually a cause for celebration. However, doubts persist—was this mandate truly given by the people or engineered through EVMs and the Election Commission?” he questioned. Thackeray also highlighted unrest in Markadwadi village, Solapur, where residents demanded mock polls using ballot papers.
Oath-Taking Ceremony Goes On
Despite the opposition’s absence, the assembly session commenced with pro-tem speaker Kalidas Kolambkar administering the oath of office to CM Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar. BJP leaders Chainsukh Sancheti and Jaykumar Rawal, along with Manikrao Kokate (NCP) and Ashish Jaiswal (Shiv Sena), were also sworn in as pro-tem speaker’s panel members.
CM Fadnavis, representing Nagpur South-West, took his oath for the sixth time since first being elected in 1999. His entry into the assembly was met with thunderous desk-thumping and chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji” from treasury bench members.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde received a similar welcome, with BJP leaders Ashish Shelar and Girish Mahajan leading the celebrations. Ajit Pawar, donning a traditional red pheta with a golden border, was cheered on by his supporters, who chanted, “Ekach Dada, Ajit Dada!”
Symbolism and Sentiments
The ceremonial attire of legislators also caught attention. Shiv Sena MLAs wore saffron phetas, emphasizing their Hindutva roots, while NCP MLAs sported pink phetas. Ajit Pawar’s preference for pink jackets during the election campaign has sparked speculation about his outreach to women voters.
Prominent Figures Take the Oath
Apart from the trio of Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar, prominent leaders such as former assembly speakers Dilip Walse-Patil and Rahul Narwekar, BJP’s Girish Mahajan, and SP’s Abu Asim Azmi were also sworn in. Notably, Mahajan took his oath in Sanskrit, continuing his tradition from previous terms. NCP leader Hasan Mushrif invoked Allah during his oath, reflecting the diverse cultural and religious fabric of Maharashtra’s legislature.
MVA’s Strategy Ahead
The MVA’s boycott has sparked debates about the fairness of the electoral process and its implications for democracy. While the ruling alliance basks in its landslide victory, the opposition’s protest underscores deep-rooted concerns about electoral transparency.
As the session unfolds, all eyes are on how this political tug-of-war will shape Maharashtra’s governance and public trust in democratic institutions.
