Uddhav Thackeray Advocates for Elected Election Commissioner Over Appointed One in Context of ONOE

Nagpur, Dec 17 (NationPress) Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday expressed his firm opposition to the 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE), asserting that the Election Commissioner (EC) ought to be elected rather than appointed before ONOE is put into practice.

“Before implementing 'One Nation, One Election', the electoral process must be transparent. I firmly believe that the Election Commissioner should also be elected through a democratic process,” stated Thackeray during a press interaction at Vidhan Bhavan.

He further remarked that if the Election Commissioner is appointed to instruct the opposition on election laws, such a practice is inappropriate.

“There shouldn't be a 'One Nation, One Election' under the governance of such an individual. The Election Commissioner must also be elected. Only then can he be deemed a legitimate Election Commissioner,” Thackeray emphasized.

Commenting on the administration's choice to forgo mock polling by Markadwadi villagers as a protest against EVMs, Thackeray questioned the government's apprehensions.

“You claim that all of Maharashtra has voted for us, shown us love, then the same votes cast on EVMs should also be cast on ballot papers. In a democracy, I have the right to know whom I am voting for and where my vote is going. That right has now been stripped away from me,” he asserted.

When asked about potentially including Chhagan Bhujbal, who is dissatisfied with his exclusion from the state cabinet, into Shiv Sena UBT, Thackeray responded, “I felt truly sorry for Bhujbal. I also empathize with others who missed out on ministerial positions. Those who joined MahaYuti had high hopes. I extend my sympathy to everyone awaiting their induction into the cabinet.”

He went on to question if the government has plans to appoint beloved MLAs or well-regarded individuals, given that many senior leaders of MahaYuti did not receive cabinet positions.

Regarding whether Bhujbal and other disgruntled members of MahaYuti are in contact with him, Thackeray mentioned, “Nagpur is known as an orange city. It has transformed into a city of hoardings. It remains unclear who truly orchestrated and led MahaYuti's success. The disgruntled members are reaching out to us. They are sending messages. Let them gain experience. There is no better teacher than experience. Let them learn valuable lessons. We will assess their improvement later.”

He claimed that he has been in contact with Bhujbal not just after his cabinet exclusion.

Referring to the agreement by NCP and Shiv Sena to provide a two-and-a-half-year tenure to the ministers inducted in the recent expansion, Thackeray quipped, “Will the posts of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister rotate every two and a half years? Has such a decision been finalized?” His comment alluded to the supposed arrangement between BJP and Shiv Sena (united) Sharad regarding the sharing of the Chief Minister's post after two and a half years during the 2019 Assembly elections.