Mumbai, Dec 2 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the State Election Commission (SEC) on Tuesday for suddenly deferring the elections for 24 nagar parishads and 154 wards across 76 other nagar parishads and nagar panchayats to December 20. They argue that this decision is a deliberate political tactic that has disrupted the democratic process in Maharashtra.

The party claims that the SEC has demonstrated a lack of judgment and lacks the authority to make such abrupt changes to the election schedule.

In a scathing editorial from the Thackeray faction's publication, 'Saamana', the SEC was labeled a 'joker' within the political arena, suggesting that the government, particularly the BJP, has manipulated the Election Commission for its own benefit. The editorial describes the situation as a planned chaos aimed at ensuring advantages for the ruling party.

The editorial further reveals that the SEC has postponed the elections under the pretense of ongoing legal issues while overlooking the rampant corruption associated with the ruling coalition's tactics to sway voters. “This election cycle is marked by the highest levels of corruption and expenditure seen in the last 40 years. Allegations suggest that ruling parties are in a 'shameless competition' to spend vast sums of money to 'buy votes'.

The delay is anticipated to escalate financial demands on candidates, who will need to invest further to provide what the editorial refers to as 'new Lakshmidarshan' to attract voters.

Despite Maharashtra's staggering debt of 'Rs eight lakh crore', the Thackeray camp asserts that this extravagant spending persists.

“The Chief Minister and his two deputies are making unrealistic promises in their campaign speeches, even though the state treasury cannot support them. The political narrative is being driven solely by the 'strong private treasuries' of the ruling party,” the editorial contends.

The Shiv Sena demands that the Chief Minister and his deputies disclose the state of the public finances to the citizens.

The editorial emphasizes that the SEC does not possess the authority to unilaterally postpone elections. “Can the SEC make such a decision without the Chief Minister's consent? Additionally, as nagar parishads fall under the urban development department's jurisdiction, one must question the department's role in this confusing situation caused by the sudden election postponement,” it inquires.

The Thackeray faction dismissed the Chief Minister's criticism of the SEC as mere theatrics.