Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Explains Delay in Maharashtra Elections
New Delhi [India], August 16: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar stated that the high demand for security forces in Jammu and Kashmir is the primary reason for not holding elections in Maharashtra. He mentioned that the last time Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections were held together, Jammu and Kashmir was not a factor. This year, there are four elections, with a fifth one starting soon, including Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi.
Depending on the requirement of forces, the decision was made to conduct two elections together. Kumar also cited rainfall and a series of festivals in Maharashtra, such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Pitrapaksh, Navratri, and Diwali, as factors affecting the election schedule. He added that the elections would be held within six months of the assembly term ending.
The tenure of the Haryana state assembly ends on November 3, while that of Maharashtra culminates in November. The Lok Sabha polls 2024 have boosted the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) winning seven seats, the Congress 13, and the NCP-SP one, taking the total tally to 17.
Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held later this year, but the Election Commission of India has yet to announce the dates. In the 2019 Assembly polls, the BJP had 105 MLAs in a House of 288 seats. The combined Shiv Sena had 56 MLAs, and the combined NCP had 54 MLAs. Following the split in the NCP and the Sena, the Shinde Sena has 37 MLAs, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has 39 MLAs.
The Maharashtra election will see a two-way fight between the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, consisting of the UBT Shiv Sena, NCP -Sharad Pawar, and Congress, and the Maha Yuti Alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde, and NCP-Ajit Pawar.
Doubts Revealed
Chief Election Commissioner -: The Chief Election Commissioner is the head of the Election Commission of India, which is responsible for conducting elections in the country.
Rajiv Kumar -: Rajiv Kumar is the person who is currently the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in western India, known for its capital city Mumbai.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India that often needs extra security due to its sensitive location and issues.
Maha Vikas Aghadi -: Maha Vikas Aghadi is a political coalition in Maharashtra, made up of different political parties working together.
Maha Yuti Alliance -: Maha Yuti Alliance is another political coalition in Maharashtra, also made up of different political parties.
Election Commission -: The Election Commission is a government body in India that organizes and oversees elections to ensure they are fair and free.
288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly -: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is a group of 288 elected representatives who make laws and decisions for the state of Maharashtra.
