📷 Image Credits: The Indian Express
The much-anticipated Maharashtra Legislative Council elections is currently underway with high-stakes for the 11 seats in the upper house of the state legislature. All 274 MLAs have cast their votes in the biennial elections held at the Vidhan Bhavan complex. There are 12 candidates vying for the 11 seats, with the electoral college formed by the 274 current members of the legislative assembly. The elections come as eleven members of the upper house are set to retire on July 27, leading to vacancies that need to be filled.
Amidst the voting process, a controversy arose with jailed BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad being granted permission to cast his vote. Opposition parties, including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), raised objections to Gaikwad’s participation, citing misuse of power. The Congress party lodged a complaint, leading to the election officer seeking a response from the Chief Election Officer of Maharashtra. As the response is awaited, Gaikwad has been asked not to vote.
The elections have been marked by fears of cross-voting, with both the ruling Maha Vikas Agadi and the Mahayuti leaders meeting with their MLAs to ensure their support. However, the Congress denied rumors of nine of its MLAs crossing voting in favor of the BJP-led Mahayuti candidates. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut expressed confidence in the victory of the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidates.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, expressed assurance in the strength of the ruling coalition and stated that all independent MLAs from their side have voted as per instructions, signaling confidence in winning all nine seats of Mahayuti. However, the numbers remain crucial as the BJP requires four more votes for full success, while the NCP and Shiv Sena need strategic alliances and cross-votes to secure their candidates’ victories. The intense competition and political maneuvers make the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections a closely watched event with significant implications for the state’s political landscape.
