Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray urges SEC to cancel unopposed wins in civic polls, alleges ‘candidate stealing’

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to cancel elections in wards where candidates have been declared elected unopposed in the upcoming Maharashtra civic polls and to restart the polling process in those seats.

Addressing a joint press conference with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray after unveiling their alliance manifesto for the BMC polls, Uddhav alleged large-scale manipulation by the ruling alliance to ensure unopposed victories.

“First they stole votes, now they are stealing candidates,” Thackeray said, accusing the ruling coalition of pressuring opposition nominees to withdraw from the fray. He claimed that such practices were undermining the democratic process at the grassroots level.

Thackeray's remaks came agter the ruling Mahayuti wrested 68 out of 69 seats before actual polling since the candidates were elected unopposed in the municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra. On the last day of withdrawal of candidature on Friday, the BJP emerged the biggest gainer with its candidates elected unopposed in 44 seats.

While the BJP has the highest number of candidates who have won unopposed, the Shiv Sena has 22 and the NCP two.

The former Maharashtra chief minister, Thackeray said elections where candidates are elected unopposed should be scrapped and the process initiated afresh to ensure a fair contest. “Atmosphere in the country is like democracy has been taken over by mobocracy,” he said.

(This is a developing story. Check back for updates)