The Maharashtra civic polls have ignited a political firestorm, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launching a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC), accusing it of "gaslighting citizens" amidst concerns over electoral integrity. Gandhi's allegations revolve around the alleged ease with which the indelible ink could be removed, potentially enabling multiple voting, and reflect broader concerns about the trustworthiness of democratic institutions.
"When trust in India's democracy has collapsed, vote 'chori' [theft] is an anti-national act," Gandhi stated in a post on X, asserting that any attempt to manipulate the electoral process strikes at the very foundation of democracy.
The BJP has retaliated strongly, dismissing Gandhi's claims as baseless and misleading. A spokesperson for the BJP used the term "khandani chor" (dynastic thief) in a jibe aimed at Gandhi, accusing him of deflecting from his own party's shortcomings by making unfounded allegations. This verbal sparring underscores the high stakes and intense political climate surrounding the civic polls, particularly in Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is locked in a battle with the reunited Thackeray cousins for control of India's richest civic body.
Voting across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra took place on Thursday, with approximately 50% of eligible voters casting their ballots. The State Election Commissioner, Dinesh Waghmare, confirmed the voter turnout. The polls saw 15,931 candidates vying for 2,869 seats across 893 wards. Mumbai alone had nearly 1,700 candidates contesting the elections.
While the overall voter turnout remained significant, Mumbai witnessed a slight dip to 52.94% compared to 55.53% in the 2017 elections. This election is the first since the Shiv Sena split, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape. The counting of votes is currently underway.
Exit polls have predicted a sweeping victory for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Mumbai. My Axis India exit polls, for instance, projected the alliance to win 131-151 seats with 42% of the vote share, while the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance was expected to secure 58-68 seats with 32% of the vote share.
Beyond Mumbai, the civic polls are crucial for other major urban centers including Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Early trends indicate a lead for the BJP across the state, being ahead in 531 wards out of 1,167 wards. The Shiv Sena is in second place with leads in 158 wards, closely followed by the Congress, which is ahead in 152 wards. The Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has secured leads in 74 wards, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is also leading in 74 wards.
The election process has not been without its challenges. Reports of violence, allegations of bogus voting, cash distribution, and EVM malfunctions have emerged from several cities. A bus carrying ballot boxes was even intercepted by protestors, leading to attempts to vandalize vehicles. These incidents have further fueled the political tension and heightened scrutiny of the electoral process.
