📷 Image Credits: News18
In preparation for the upcoming legislative council election in Maharashtra, political parties have taken proactive measures to prevent cross-voting among MLAs. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Eknath Shinde’s Sena have relocated their MLAs to different hotels across Mumbai to ensure party loyalty and avoid any potential cross-voting. This move comes as a precaution due to the secret ballot system, where MLAs often vote based on their own preference rather than party orders.
In such high-stakes elections, maintaining party unity is crucial, especially considering the history of cross-voting leading to consequences like split in the Shiv Sena party. To prevent any deviation from party directives, major political parties have accommodated their MLAs in five-star hotels in Mumbai. Top leaders are personally overseeing the MLAs, providing them with repeated instructions on voting as per the party’s preference.
The legislative council election is being viewed as a semi-final before the state assembly polls in Maharashtra, intensifying the focus on securing favorable outcomes. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has accommodated its MLAs at the ITC Grand Central Hotel, while other party factions have arranged stays at various premium hotels across the city.
Each party is leaving no stone unturned to ensure their candidates win, with leaders conducting meetings, briefings, and rehearsals for the voting process. The strategic relocation of MLAs to hotels and the meticulous attention to party loyalty indicate the significance of this election and the efforts to secure favorable results. With 11 seats up for grabs and 12 candidates in the fray, the stakes are high as parties gear up for a crucial election battle.
