Mumbai: Amidst the talks of possibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha (LS) and Vidhan Sabha (VS) polls in Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis categorically made it clear that there will be no early assembly in the state.
Dismissing the prospects of holding Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls together in the state, Mr Fadnavis said, “Take it from me in writing, there will be no early assembly elections in Maharashtra.”
Rumours were rife all day on Thursday that the state cabinet would pass a resolution calling for an early dissolution of the lower house in the state legislature paving the way for simultaneous assembly elections along with the general elections. However, the CM poured cold water on them saying that there is no such possibility.
The Congress spokesperson, Sachin Sawant termed the reports of simultaneous polls as ‘opportunist.’ He said, just like the voters voted out the previous Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in 1999 after it had similarly dissolved the assembly prematurely and went for polls along with the LS polls, it will happen again.
Reacting on the possibility of early assembly elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule said that her party is prepared to contest the Assembly election at any time. “Let them conduct the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections together. We are ready for it,” she said. Ms Sule also said that the BJP would not gain any advantage because of the Pulwama attack.
“Every political party loves election 24x7. We are a political party and we are always ready for the elections. They can hold the election whenever they want, be it tomorrow, the day after that or six months later,” she added.
When said that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had already clarified that the election would take place on time, Ms. Sule said there was no official communication about the election. “Why should we speculate? And he never does what he says. I won’t be surprised at all, if he takes a U-turn on anything he said,” she said.
