‘Tumko Mirchi Lagi?’ Fadnavis Jabs Opposition Over Unopposed Wins
Fadnavis hits back at Opposition over 68 unopposed civic poll wins, says democracy wasn’t questioned during Congress rule.
- Fadnavis hits back at Opposition over 68 unopposed civic seats
- Says unopposed wins also happened during Congress rule
- Thanks Dhule voters for electing BJP corporators uncontested
- Issue now before Bombay High Court
GG News Bureau
Dhule, 6th Jan: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Opposition parties over their criticism of the ruling Mahayuti’s unopposed victories in 68 civic wards, remarking that their outrage appeared selective and politically motivated.
Addressing a public rally in Dhule ahead of the January 15 municipal corporation elections, Fadnavis quipped, “Tumko mirchi lagi toh main kya karoon (what can I do if you feel the sting and get offended)?”, targeting Opposition leaders who have questioned the legitimacy of the uncontested wins.
Thanking voters for electing four BJP corporators unopposed in Dhule, the Chief Minister said the ruling alliance accepted the public support wholeheartedly. He also pointed out that unopposed victories were not uncommon in the state’s political history.
“As many as 35 Lok Sabha MPs have been elected unopposed so far, of whom 33 were elected during the Congress rule,” Fadnavis said, questioning why democracy was not perceived to be under threat then.
“If there is an unopposed election in your tenure, democracy is not threatened, but if it happens in our time, democracy is suddenly under threat,” he added.
Calling Dhule the “gateway to Maharashtra”, with Gujarat on one side and Madhya Pradesh on the other, Fadnavis said the city had witnessed tangible development only after the BJP came to power following the formation of the municipal corporation in 2003.
The controversy has now reached the Bombay High Court, where a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader has sought a stay on the declaration of results in the 68 uncontested seats and demanded a court-monitored probe into alleged “mass withdrawals” of candidates under coercion.
Opposition leaders have mounted a strong attack on the ruling alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray urged the State Election Commission to cancel results in these wards, stating that uncontested victories deprive Gen Z and first-time voters of their voting rights. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal also accused the Mahayuti of “swallowing democracy” in its pursuit of power.
