The Election Commission has given relief…
The political crisis facing the ‘Thackeray government’ will be avoided; Great relief from the Central Election Commission
The Election Commission has given relief to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray
On the one hand, there are fears of political instability in the state amid the Corona crisis. In addition, the Election Commission has now given relief to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The Election Commission has given permission to hold elections for nine seats in the Legislative Council. The Election Commission has decided to hold the elections before May 27. The Election Commission met on Friday at the request of Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. This decision was taken after that. Therefore, it has been decided that the Legislative Council elections will be held in 21 days.
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had requested the Election Commission to hold early elections for the nine vacant seats in the Legislative Council as per the demands of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. In other words, the governor had given a clear signal that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray would not be appointed to the Legislative Council despite two recommendations by the cabinet. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is not a member of both houses of the legislature. The governor had also requested the Election Commission to announce the election schedule for the nine vacant seats as soon as possible as they need to be elected before May 27.
Election Commission of India (ECI) grants permission for holding elections to the Legislative Council (MLCs) in Maharashtra. The necessary guidelines will need to be ensured for safety against #COVID19 during the elections.
The state cabinet had twice recommended the appointment of Chief Minister Thackeray to the Legislative Council. The governor did not take a decision on Thackeray’s appointment proposal for three weeks. As the governor was not responding favorably, Chief Minister Thackeray had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested for a solution. BJP leaders in the state maintained a policy of obstructing Thackeray. Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress leaders say political instability is unaffordable as the state government tackles the Corona crisis.
The term of the Governor-appointed members expires on June 5. The Governor had taken a negative stance in appointing Chief Minister Thackeray for such a short period of time. As the governor is not taking a decision, the postponed elections for the nine vacant seats in the Legislative Council should be held as soon as possible, a letter was issued on behalf of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress. A copy of the letter was handed over to the Election Commission and the Governor.
These developments have come after discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, which has led to a solution through dialogue rather than conflict with the governor. Shiv Sena leaders had expressed confidence that the Election Commission would announce the Legislative Council elections soon.
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Devendra Fadnavis has clarified that the BJP will co-operate if there is a proposal to hold the elections without any objection after the announcement of the Legislative Council elections. Fadnavis has also said that the sign that the governor-appointed member should not hold the post of Chief Minister or Minister will not be trampled on.
