The first day of the special session of the Maharashtra Assembly saw intense opposition protests over alleged electoral malpractices and EVM tampering, with Markatwadi, a village in the Malshiras Assembly constituency of Solapur district, becoming the focal point of the debate.
The Opposition alleged that “democracy has been murdered” through the misuse of EVMs, prompting the residents of Markatwadi village to demand a mock re-poll using ballot papers. A planned mock polling event on December 3 was canceled after the Solapur police registered an FIR against at least 200 people for violating prohibitory orders and spreading mistrust about the election process.
Amid the protests inside the Assembly, the Opposition boycotted the special session.
“Democracy has been murdered by the misuse of EVMs, and hence the people of Markatwadi village demanded a mock re-poll using ballot papers,” said Uttamrao Jankar, an MLA from the NCP (Sharad Pawar camp).
Aditya Thackeray, an MLA from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticised the government, stating, “The mandate given is not by the people but by the EVMs and the Election Commission of India”.
NCP leader Sharad Pawar is expected to visit Markatwadi to meet with villagers concerned about the election results. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also likely to lead a march from the village, according to the party’s state unit.
In response to the alleged manipulation of EVMs, the Opposition has planned a series of protests. On December 6, Uttamrao Jankar symbolically offered soil from Markatwadi at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar, marking Dr BR Ambedkar’s death anniversary. The soil is set to be taken to Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, where it will be offered at Rajghat, said Congress state president Nana Patole.
The Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, dismissed the electoral malpractice accusations, calling them “unfair”. He added, “When the MVA won 31 Lok Sabha seats, they did not question EVMs. They are free to protest but must take their oaths to participate in the House proceedings”.
The Maharashtra Assembly session began with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar taking their oaths as MLAs. Pro-tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar administered the oaths to 173 newly elected members. However, 115 MLAs, mostly from the Opposition, have yet to take their oaths.
