CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday sharply criticised the State Election Commission's decision to postpone the upcoming municipal council elections in multiple civic bodies across Maharashtra as "arbitrary, legally indefensible and deeply unfair to hundreds of candidates who had completed their campaigning and preparations". He said govt would submit a detailed representation to the commission, asking it to reconsider the decision.
Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Fadnavis said the State Election Commission (SEC) "misinterpreted the law" when deciding to postpone the polls. He cautioned that allowing such decisions to stand could establish a dangerous precedent in which elections might be repeatedly stalled through litigation.
"Cancelling these elections is extremely wrong. If this approach is taken, everyone will go to court every time, and then the election will be postponed. This has never happened before," he said.
Fadnavis said the SEC had not clarified which law or legal interpretation it relied upon while suspending the election process. "I have no idea which law the Election Commission is citing or whose advice the Election Commission is taking. But based on the law I have seen, the extent of my legal study, and having spoken to many lawyers... the consensus is that elections cannot be postponed in this manner just because one person went to court," he said.
He cited the example of the Nilanga Municipal Council, where "the entire process was complete" before a rejected candidate challenged his exclusion. "If we take the example of Nilanga, Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar spoke to me yesterday (Sunday). In Nilanga, the entire process was complete. Someone whose form was rejected went to court. The court rejected his form. Why was it accepted?" he asked. "Postponing the election here just because someone filed a petition is extremely wrong," he added.
Fadnavis described the decision as an "injustice" to candidates and local voters, arguing that last-minute postponement inflicted significant losses on those who had invested time, resources and effort. "My opinion is that legally, the Election Commission postponing the elections is completely wrong. What an injustice this is to those candidates who honestly completed all the formalities. You postponed the elections today, which were supposed to take place tomorrow. Their (candidates') efforts and hard work are all wasted," he said.
He also criticised the extension of the campaign period, calling it an unnecessary burden. "Now, having to campaign again for 15-20 days, I feel this is extremely wrong," he said, stressing that state govt would raise the issue formally. "Certainly, the election will take place, but we will definitely give a representation to the Election Commission regarding this, stating that postponing elections in this manner would be wrong."
Denying allegations of govt interference, Fadnavis clarified that the urban development department had no role in the SEC decision. "The urban development department has no connection to this. The connection here is solely with the Election Commission. The Election Commission is fully autonomous," he said, adding that several collectors had also expressed concerns during a video conference held before the postponement order was issued.
Though he acknowledged the SEC's constitutional autonomy, Fadnavis maintained strong disagreement with its outcome. "They have the right to make decisions. But my opinion is that this decision is wrong," he said.
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