People’s mandate will prevail even if Opposition moves court: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that people’s mandate will prevail even if Opposition parties move the court to challenge the unopposed election of Mahayuti candidates in the civic polls.

The BJP and its Mahayuti allies have won 68 seats unopposed in the polls to municipal corporations scheduled for January 15 across the state, even as Opposition parties alleged that the ruling combine used threats and money to force candidates to withdraw from the fray. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Saturday said it would challenge the unopposed election of Mahayuti candidates in court.

Talking to reporters during a roadshow in Chandrapur, Fadnavis said, “They can certainly go to court, but the people’s court has elected us. Even if they (opposition parties) move the court, people’s mandate will prevail in court.”

He pointed out that several independents and Muslim candidates have also been elected unopposed. “Why are they (Opposition parties) not talking about them? It is because they can see their defeat clearly and are now trying to find excuses,” the chief minister said.

Fadnavis, along with senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, former Union Minister Hansraj Ahir, Maharashtra Minister Ashok Uikey and MLA Kishore Jorgewar, took out a roadshow in Chandrapur, canvassing for BJP and Shiv Sena candidates. Addressing a gathering, the chief minister said that no party other than the BJP-Shiv Sena had undertaken development works in Chandrapur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated Rs 50,000 crore for the development of cities, and the Government will provide funds for the development of Chandrapur, he said. He further urged voters not to elect corrupt people to the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation if they wanted funds to be utilised properly for the city’s development.

Fadnavis appealed to people to vote the Mahayuti to power, assuring that the Government would focus on transparent governance and development while taking care of people for the next five years.

The chief minister visited the ancient Mahakali temple in Chandrapur in the morning and participated in a roadshow from Anchleshwar Gate, passing through Gandhi Chowk and culminating at Jatpura Gate.