Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs Boycott Maharashtra Assembly Oath-Taking, Alleging EVM Tampering

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 7th Dec. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray announced on Friday that MLAs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance would boycott the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, citing concerns over alleged tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Thackeray expressed doubts about the fairness of the election process, stating, “Today we have decided that our winning MLAs will not take oath today. We have doubts about EVMs, and we are not taking oath in protest. Democracy is being murdered.”

The boycott occurred during a special three-day session of the newly constituted 288-member assembly, which began on December 7. The session includes key events such as the oath administration for MLAs, election of the assembly speaker, a trust vote for the new government, and the Governor’s address. The session is being overseen by pro-tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar, a senior BJP MLA, who was appointed by Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar also voiced concerns over the results, stating, “The results have raised questions, the entire process seems tainted. People are unhappy, and something appears wrong.”

The Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, won 230 of the 288 seats in the November 20 elections. Following this, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister, with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar taking the oath as Deputy Chief Ministers on December 5.

Aaditya Thackeray criticized the delay in the announcement of the Chief Ministerial candidate, calling it an “insult to Maharashtra” and accusing the BJP-led coalition of undermining democratic principles. He also took aim at the BJP’s decision to announce the swearing-in date before formally staking a claim to form the government, which he termed “anarchy.”

The opposition’s boycott extended to the grand swearing-in ceremony on December 6, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several dignitaries, including Union ministers, NDA state leaders, and prominent personalities from Bollywood, cricket, and business.