Mumbai:

Even as his party continues to raise questions about the credibility of EVMs following its rout in last month’s Assembly elections, Uddhav Thackeray met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur on Tuesday for the first time after the polls and congratulated him.

Uddhav Thackeray’s son and senior Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who accompanied his father to the meeting, said the move was a step forward in working together for the interests of Maharashtra. 

“Our party chief Uddhav Thackeray met Chief Minister Fadnavis and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar today. What we have done is a step forward… that both sides should show political maturity and work together in the interest of Maharashtra the country. We may be in the opposition and they may be in the ruling coalition, but we are all elected representatives of the people and they (the ruling parties) can also listen to us, which may lead to some good things happening,” the Worli MLA said in Hindi. 

Sources said the meeting – which took place in Mr Fadnavis’ chambers at the Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur, where the winter session of the Assembly is on – was a courtesy one and Mr Thackeray congratulated Mr Fadnavis on the ruling coalition’s victory. 

Mr Thackeray, who led the united Shiv Sena at the time, was an ally of the BJP until 2019, when he walked out of the alliance following a disagreement over whether he or Mr Fadnavis should become the chief minister. In a shock move, he joined hands with the NCP and the Congress to assume the top post in Maharashtra.    

Mr Thackeray’s government, however, fell in 2022 after a senior leader from his party, Eknath Shinde, rebelled and sided with the BJP, taking most of the Shiv Sena MLAs with him. Mr Shinde then became the chief minister with Mr Fadnavis as his deputy. The alliance got another partner the folllowing year, when Ajit Pawar rebelled and formed a breakaway faction of the NCP. 

Mr Fadnavis and Mr Thackeray have been at loggerheads since the BJP and Shiv Sena parted ways and both have attacked each other several times, including over the version of ‘Hindutva’ practised by both of them. 

Rise And Fall

The coalition of Mr Thackeray’s Shiv Sena with the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s faction of the NCP pulled off a stupendous performance in the Lok Sabha polls, winning 30 of Maharashtra’s 48 Lok Sabha seats, but was routed in last month’s Assembly polls, winning just 46 of 288 constituencies while the BJP alone bagged 132. 

After the defeat, Mr Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, Mr Pawar’s NCP and the Congress have all claimed that the ruling coalition’s landslide victory was a result of EVMs being manipulated and also boycotted the swearing-in ceremony over this. The issue has also led to allegations and protests by the opposition in the Assembly. 

Mumbai:

In a blow to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Opposition in Maharashtra, the Samajwadi Party has decided to quit the alliance after a controversial remark from a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray on the demolition of the Babri Masjid. 

On the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Mosque demolition, Milind Narvekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader posted a photo of the mosque, accompanied by a quote from Shiv Sena patriarch Balasaheb Thackeray which read, “I am proud of those who did this.”

M Narvekar’s post also featured images of Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and himself.

pic.twitter.com/3nZYC4EK0e

— Milind Narvekar (@NarvekarMilind_) December 5, 2024

The Samajwadi Party has two MLAs in the Maharashtra Assembly. After MVA parties skipped the oath-taking ceremony today, Samajwadi Party state president Abu Asim Azmi and party leader Rais Shaikh defied the boycott call and took their oaths.

“Samajwadi Party can never remain with communal ideology, hence we separate ourselves from Maha Vikas Aghadi,” Mr Azmi said in a statement. 

सांप्रदायिक विचारधारा के साथ समाजवादी पार्टी कभी नहीं रह सकती इस लिए हम खुदको महविकास आघाड़ी से अलग करते है।#SamajwadiParty#MahaVikasAghadi#Maharashtrapic.twitter.com/uMnlL97KDi

— Abu Asim Azmi (@abuasimazmi) December 7, 2024

“An advertisement was given by Shiv Sena (UBT) in a newspaper congratulating those who demolished Babri masjid. His (Uddhav Thackeray) aide has also posted on X hailing the demolition of the mosque,” Mr Azmi said, as quoted by news agency PTI. “We are quitting the MVA. I am speaking to (Samajwadi Party president) Akhilesh Singh Yadav. If anyone in the MVA speaks such language, what is the difference between the BJP and them? Why should we stay with them?” 

Besides the two Samajwadi Party wins in the Maharashtra elections, the Congress contested 103 seats but managed to win only 16. The Shiv Sena (UBT), which fielded candidates in 89 constituencies, won 20 seats, while the NCP, led by Sharad Pawar, contested 87 seats and secured victory in just 10.

“Milind Narvekar, who is from Uddhav Thackeray’s party, posted a tweet, and we have only responded to him. The MVA was formed on two key principles: protecting the Constitution and upholding secular values. Shiv Sena has received votes in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha in the name of the MVA, with support from people of all religions and secular-minded individuals,” said Samajwadi leader Rais Shaikh. 

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, won 230 of the 288 seats. This was followed by the swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister, with Mr Shinde and Mr Pawar taking oath as Deputy Chief Ministers on December 5.

“Shiv Sena should reflect on this. A minimum understanding was established to set aside radical Hindu ideologies, but if such a radical stance is adopted, parties like the Samajwadi Party and others will need to reconsider their position. This is our perspective. We want Uddhav’s Shiv Sena to address this issue and clarify why such sentiments are being expressed,” Mr Shaikh added. 

Newly-elected MLAs of the MVA alliance staged a walkout during the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s oath-taking ceremony today, alleging the ruling Mahayuti coalition’s victory was engineered through manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). 

MVA leaders gathered near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at the Maharashtra Assembly to explain their stance. 

“We boycotted the oath-taking ceremony today as democracy is being murdered by the use of EVMs. This (the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections) is not the mandate of the public it is the mandate of EVM and the Election Commission of India,” said Aditya Thackeray.

Other senior opposition leaders, including Nana Patole of Congress and Jitendra Awhad of the NCP, echoed concerns over what they termed an “undemocratic attitude” of the ruling alliance and reiterated demands for elections to be conducted using ballot papers instead of EVMs.

The installation of Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister for the third time is set to change the politics of Maharashtra forever, with repercussions far beyond the state. Following an unprecedented victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, the 54-year-old leader has signalled that he has finally arrived. Unlike many Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministers, Fadnavis is not faceless, and that is his strength. Like Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Fadnavis has shown that he is a leader in his own right.

Fadnavis is the fourth Chief Minister from the Vidarbha region, following M. S. Kannamwar, Vasantrao Naik, and Sudhakarrao Naik. As Home Minister, Fadnavis may not have used a bulldozer, but he took a tough stance on issues like the Bheema-Koregaon case and ‘urban naxals’. He insists that the slogans “Batenge to Katenge” and “Ek Hai to Safe Hai” were calls of the hour, and there was no need to be apologetic about them.

With this victory, Fadnavis has placed himself among the foremost leaders in the BJP, alongside a select few. His rise has been supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he emerged on the national stage. Fadnavis has always been grateful and loyal to his leader and shares his tact and patience.

Shiv Sena May Be The First Target

With Fadnavis firmly in control, observers believe that things will never be the same in one of India’s most industrial states. The first target on his list could be Uddhav Thackeray and his party, as Fadnavis might soon order the long-delayed elections to municipal corporations, including Greater Mumbai, to further weaken the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. The old political principle of “strike while the iron is hot” seems to be in play.

There may have been many claims and counterclaims, both formally and informally, but everyone who matters in the Mahayuti, especially in the BJP, was convinced that the chief ministerial crown belonged to Fadnavis. It was a moment of reckoning for the leader from Nagpur, who has consistently faced attacks from the opposition, regardless of the provocation.

One of Fadnavis’s strengths as a leader is his ability to combine a soft face with hardline tactics and strategy. This approach has not only crushed his political opponents but also silenced detractors within his own party who either underestimated him or believed he could easily be marginalised because he is a Brahmin. While the Brahmin community may not be a dominant political force, it has traditionally done well in bureaucracy and other fields.

Will BJP Dominate Maharashtra?

Fadnavis is leading the state at a time when the opposition is either divided or has become faceless. He and his party succeeded in ensuring that Uddhav-led Shiv Sena’s Hindutva claims remained diminished as it allied with parties like the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

These parties, along with Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), are in no position to challenge the BJP under Fadnavis, at least for now. Additionally, the Marathas, the dominant community in the state, have become ‘softer’ towards the BJP. The party has been accommodative and is no longer dominated by any single caste or group of castes, unlike the Congress, which used to be a party of Marathas, Dalits, and minorities.

The BJP is known for its “sahi disha, spasht niti” (correct direction, clear policy). Observers believe that it is inching closer towards becoming the most dominant political force in Maharashtra for years to come. The saffron sweep in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh in recent years has helped the party expand in Maharashtra.

The unexpected collapse of Congress in the traditional stronghold has made matters easier for the BJP, at least for now. Until Congress gets its house in order, regional parties, despite being weakened, remain the primary hurdle in the BJP’s expansion in Maharashtra.

Existential Threat To Many

Fadnavis’s re-emergence poses existential threats to Uddhav Thackeray, the NCP (Sharad Pawar), and the Congress. The BJP’s prime objective is to make Maharashtra “shat pratishat” (100%), meaning to expand and strengthen the party so that it no longer depends on allies and faces little resistance from its detractors.

The rise of Fadnavis comes at a time when Nitin Gadkari’s status within the party and the government appears to be declining. Gadkari, a former BJP President, played a pivotal role in bringing Fadnavis into politics. Fadnavis is a second-generation politician; his late father, Gangadhar, was an MLC during Sharad Pawar’s tenure in state politics.

Fadnavis’s rise has been meteoric. He began his political career in the mid-nineties. In 1992, at the age of 22, he became a corporator, and five years later, in 1997, he became the youngest Mayor of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation.

(Sunil Gatade is a former associate editor with PTI. Venkatesh Kesari was an assistant editor with The Asian Age.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Mumbai:
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time today. The event in Mumbai will also see Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and NCP’s Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Ministers in the newly formed cabinet.

Here are 10 points on this big story:

New Delhi:

Back-to-back electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Haryana have prompted calls for introspection and decisive action in the Congress party. Party leaders have vowed to course-correct under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, with Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urging the party chief to “crack the whip.”

Addressing the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Friday, Mr Kharge issued a warning against infighting and anti-party remarks, stating that “tough decisions” were inevitable to fix accountability and identify the party’s shortcomings after poll debacles.

Winning only 16 out of 288 assembly seats, Congress suffered one of its worst electoral setbacks in the state. Its allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)- the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction)  -fared no better, securing just 10 and 20 seats, respectively.

The CWC resolution described the Haryana results as “contrary to all expectations,” alleging that electoral malpractices had influenced the outcome. Panel members are set to visit both states to conduct post-mortems on the defeats.

“Unless we fight elections unitedly and stop making statements against each other, how will we be able to defeat our opponents politically?” Mr Kharge asked at the CWC meeting.

Mr Gandhi, agreeing with Mr Kharge, urged the party chief to “crack the whip” and that the Congress was an “organisation of resistance” and party leaders should have faith in it.

Mr Kharge also announced plans for comprehensive state-wise reviews to address organisational weaknesses and assess the losses in Maharashtra and Haryana. Internal committees are being constituted to visit Maharashtra and Haryana to speak to local leaders. 

The CWC resolution raised serious concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission, alleging that free and fair elections-a cornerstone of democracy – were under threat.

“There is no reason to get disheartened or to panic. We must persevere with renewed determination and resolve. Unity and discipline are called for now more than ever before,” the CWC resolution read. “The party must keep reinforcing its narrative. This includes caste census to ensure full social justice, removal of the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, control of growing monopolies in the economy through political patronage and continuing price rise and growing unemployment.”

The Congress announced plans for a nationwide movement in collaboration with INDIA bloc parties to address concerns over the electoral process. Jairam Ramesh, the party’s general secretary in charge of communications, stated that rallies would soon be organised to mobilise public support.

Claim: The video shows protests erupting against the use of EVMs in Maharashtra after the Assembly election results.
Fact: The claim is misleading. The video shows a protest against EVMs in Delhi in January 2024.

After a crushing defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has raised concerns about the manipulation of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Reports suggest that MVA leaders are preparing to launch a campaign calling for EVMs to be scrapped in favour of returning to the traditional ballot paper system. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has also stepped in, voicing concerns about the reliability of EVMs and stressing the importance of ensuring transparency in the electoral process.

Against this backdrop, a video of a large crowd raising slogans for the removal of EVMs has been circulating on social media. The accompanying claim suggests the video shows protests erupting against EVMs in Maharashtra after the State Assembly election results.

A user on X shared the video and wrote, “Protest against EVM started in Maharashtra, even the biggest parties of the country are saying that they don’t want EVM machines. Remove EVM and bring valid papers!” (Archive)

Another X user shared a screengrab from the video and wrote, “People are out on the streets against the Election Commission in many villages of Maharashtra over EVM.” (Archive)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is misleading as the video shows a protest against EVMs in Delhi in January 2024.

Upon conducting a reverse image search of the video’s keyframes, we found it shared by X and Facebook users in February 2024. The posts were about a rising movement for a ban on EVMs which the ‘mainstream media was not covering.’ (Archive)

Taking this lead, we ran a keyword search and came across multiple X posts of January 31 stating that Bharat Mukti Morcha and other organisations had organised protests against EVMs at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The posts can be seen here, here and here.

In the viral video and in the videos posted on January 31 and February 1, we noticed identical visuals such as the board of the Janta Dal United (JDU) office.

Upon further investigation, we discovered that the JDU office in New Delhi is located at 7 Jantar Mantar Road. Additionally, we came across a report by Zee Bihar Jharkhand detailing the history of the JDU office at this location. The report featured the same boards at the entrance of the party office.

In a post on X dated January 31, NCP(SP) leader Sharad Pawar mentioned the protest organised by Bharat Mukti Morcha at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, advocating for a ban on EVMs and a return to ballot papers. He also shared images from the protest, which featured visuals similar to those in question.

Addressed the protest organized by Bharat Mukti Morcha at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

This protest was organised to ban EVM, bring ballot back, the National President of Bharat Mukti Morcha, Hon. Vaman Meshram ji was also present. pic.twitter.com/B65313XSdX

— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 31, 2024

We also found reports by Amar Ujala and Dainik Bhaskar dated January 31. Both media outlets reported a protest at Jantar Mantar organised by several groups, including Bharat Mukti Morcha, Rashtriya Kisan Morcha, and Bahujan Mukti Party against electronic voting machines (EVMs). Protesters from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Bihar gathered, holding banners that read, “Remove EVMs.”

Hence, we conclude the video showing a protest against the use of EVMs is from Delhi in January 2024, not Maharashtra. The claim is misleading.

Claim Review: The video shows protests erupting against the use of EVMs in Maharashtra after the Assembly election results.

Claimed By: X users

Claim Reviewed By: NewsMeter

Claim Source: X

Claim Fact Check: Misleading

Fact: The claim is misleading. The video shows a protest against EVMs in Delhi in January 2024.

(This story was originally published by Newsmeter, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective)
 

Mumbai:

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is set to stake claim to form the government after their sweeping victory in the Maharashtra elections. The oath ceremony is likely to be held tomorrow, said Deepak Kesarkar, a senior minister from the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena. Sources said only the chief minister and those set to be his deputies are likely to take oath tomorrow. No decision has been taken yet on who else will join the cabinet, they added.

While Mr Shinde and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis are the top contenders for the chief minister’s post, it’s not yet known who among them will get the top post this time.

Asked about this yesterday, right after the seat tally indicated a second term for Mahayuti, both Mr Shinde and Mr Fadnavis said the allies will be consulted to pick the chief minister.

Read: Behind BJP’s Winning Game In Maharashtra After Big Slide In Lok Sabha Polls

“There will be no dispute about who will be the Chief Minister… it was decided from day one that, after the election, the leaders of the three parties will sit together and decide this,” said Mr Fadnavis.

Mahayuti swept 235 of the total 288 seats with the BJP emerging as the largest party with 132 seats. As the BJP emerged a senior partner in the NDA, the opposition targeted Mr Shinde saying he might have to work under Mr Fadnavis.

The chief minister’s post had been a bone of contention for leaders in Maharashtra that had left the BJP in a political crisis in the past. It led to the united Shiv Sena walk out of the NDA alliance after power tussle between Uddhav Thackeray and Mr Fadnavis in 2019.

Read: Elon Musk Praises India’s Vote Counting Process, Takes Jibe At US Elections

Mr Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray who led the united party, confronted the BJP for an equal share of the top post. This met with denial and led to the collapse of the NDA alliance in Maharashtra. The Congress and united NCP, which was led by Sharad Pawar, used this opportunity to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, in which Mr Thackeray was named the chief minister.

The tables turned in 2022 when Eknath Shinde, then a trusted lieutenant of Mr Thackeray, walked out with a sizeable number of legislators and led to the collapse of the MVA government. He then became the Chief Minister as the BJP formed government with the support of the rebel MLAs. Mahayuti strengthened its grip further as the NCP’s Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar and broke away to support the Shinde government.

New Delhi:

Elon Musk on Sunday praised the efficiency of India’s vote-counting process and slammed the prolonged delays in parts of the United States, particularly California. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Musk applauded India’s ability to count 640 million votes in just one day after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, contrasting it with the sluggish vote tallying in California for the US presidential elections, which remains unfinished nearly 20 days after voting began on November 5. 

Responding to a post that carried a screenshot of a media report titled ‘How India counted 640 million votes in a day’, the Tesla and SpaceX chief wrote, “India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes”

India counted 640 million votes in 1 day.

California is still counting votes https://t.co/ai8JmWxas6

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024

India conducted its Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, involving over 900 million eligible voters. Of these, a record-breaking 642 million people cast their votes. Despite the sheer scale, results were declared within a single day of counting.

How India Counted The Votes

Through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs): Used since 2000, these devices ensure rapid and accurate counting.

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT): Introduced to enhance transparency, the VVPAT system produces a paper slip for every vote cast, allowing for verification if needed.

Additionally, India’s 543 parliamentary constituencies conduct counting simultaneously, overseen by the Election Commission of India (ECI).  According to Supreme Court guidelines, postal ballots are processed and counted before EVM votes are unsealed. Under the supervision of Returning Officers, votes are tallied in centralised locations, and results are declared after each round.
Even during state elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand last week, India managed to count nearly 90 million votes in just a few hours. Maharashtra alone, with a population four times that of California, delivered results with remarkable efficiency.

Why The Delay In California 

Vote counting in the United States – particularly in states like California – often stretches over weeks. California, the most populous US state, reported delays in its November 5 presidential election, with more than 300,000 ballots still uncounted weeks later. This has drawn criticism not only from Mr Musk but also from voters and analysts who question the system’s efficiency.

California conducts most of its elections by mail. Processing these ballots involves multiple steps like Signature verification on ballot envelopes, opening and sorting ballots before they can be tallied, etc.
Unlike India’s centralised oversight by the ECI, the US relies on state and local election offices, each with its own laws and resources.

The assembly elections in Maharashtra have shed light yet again on the BJP’s resilience and successful strategising after a setback. The party has managed a successful course correction in the state where just a few months ago, it has slid massively in the Lok Sabha polls. From 28 seats in 2019, the party had managed to win only 13 seats this year — a situation that restricted its numbers in the Lok Sabha and for the first time since 2014, made it dependent on its allies for majority in the lower house. After Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra has the second highest number of MPs — 48.

What worked for the BJP was a massive course correction that included a delicate balance of welfare measures for women, tribals, and other sections by the state government, more attention to candidates, and grassroots level campaign that they achieved after patching up the rift with ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

The big catalyst here was the ‘Ladki Behen’ scheme under which the state government made cash transfers of Rs 1,500 per month to women and had promised to increase it to Rs 2,100 if voted to power. The

The other big factor was the consolidation of the Other Backward Castes. Sources said the BJP tried very hard to reach out to the various caste groups among the OBCs. The party explained to them that their rights would be protected and it was a fake narrative by the Congress that the constitution would be changed to take away their reservation.

Relief was extended to onion farmers of north Maharashtra and cotton and soybean farmers of Vidarbha, sources said.

A promise of loan waiver brought angry farmers — who didn’t vote for the party in the Lok Sabha election — back to the BJP fold.

In the middle of the campaign, the BJP also indicated that it was keeping the question of Chief Ministership open. This helped the party in Vidarbha, to keep the popularity of Devendra Fadnavis at its peak.

The BJP also managed to pacify many rebel leaders. The MVA couldn’t do the same and suffered.

Mahayuti — the ruling alliance of Mr Shinde’s Sena, Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party and the BJP — are ahead on 236 of Maharashtra’s 288 seats.

The Opposition MVA – the Shiv Sena faction of Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar’s faction of Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress — are ahead on just 48 seats.

New Delhi:
Maharashtra saw a saffron wave as the BJP-led Mahayuti decimated the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi in state elections while INDIA bloc held its fortress in Jharkhand. Bypoll results were also declared for 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats.

Here are the top 10 points in this big story: