Maharashtra elections after Diwali? MVA accuses govt of 'plot'

MUMBAI: With the Election Commission of India announcing election dates for Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana but not for Maharashtra on Friday, the talk in political circles in Mumbai is that the assembly elections in the state are likely to be held only after Diwali, i.e., after Nov 2. The new govt in Maharashtra has to be formed before Nov 26, the day the tenure of the current govt ends.
On Friday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar cited security concerns in J&K as the primary reason for Maharashtra elections being deferred but added that the updating of the voter list was delayed on account of the monsoon season.The state, he said, is also in the midst of "significant cultural and religious observances including Ganesh Chaturthi, Pitru Paksha and Diwali, which would complicate the electoral process if polls are held immediately."
Sources in the ruling party said it was important to ensure Janmashthami and the Ganesh festival went off without a hitch. Then there is Pitru Paksha when people remember their departed ones and no auspicious work is taken up. "Navratri is a busy season and then Dussera, which will be followed by Diwali. Festivities end on Nov 2, and the election campaign can be taken up from Nov 3," sources said. The new govt has to be formed before Nov 26.
The MVA hit out at the govt and EC. Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar said there is a possibility elections will be held in November. The political atmosphere in the state is in favour of MVA, he said, and thus the govt is "conspiring" to create instability in the state and win elections. "During the LS elections, a major accident occurred, and so the Ladki Bahin scheme was brought to improve the situation. By pushing elections further, instability is being created in the state," he said. Aaditya Thackeray said in a social media post, "For all that talk of "one nation, one election", the Entirely Compromised Commission (aka Election Commission) states "constraint on security forces" as a reason to not hold elections in Maharashtra, with simultaneous elections in J&K."
Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the mood in the state is in favour of MVA so govt is buying time hoping to turn the atmosphere in its favour.