Raj Thackeray questions Maharashtra election results, raises doubts over Ajit Pawar’s rise
Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has raised concerns over the results of the recent Assembly elections in Maharashtra, questioning how Ajit Pawar’s faction, which secured only one MP in the Lok Sabha polls, managed to win 42 seats in the state elections. Speaking at a party meeting on Thursday, Thackeray remarked that such a drastic shift in public opinion within four months was unprecedented.
Thackeray recounted an interaction with a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) associate, who expressed disbelief over the election outcome. “Itna sannata kyun hai bhai? Koi to jeeta hoga,” he quoted the person as saying, referring to the lack of post-election celebrations.
Comparing the election results, he pointed out that while Sharad Pawar’s faction won eight Lok Sabha seats, it secured only 10 MLAs in the Assembly. In contrast, Ajit Pawar’s faction, with just one MP, managed to elect 42 MLAs. Calling for an investigation into the matter, he said, “If elections are going to be conducted in this manner, it’s better not to contest them at all.”
Reacting to Thackeray’s remarks, BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar accused him of attempting to create a narrative and asserted that the BJP has never engaged in compromise politics. Meanwhile, NCP spokesperson Anand Paranjape dismissed Thackeray’s concerns, pointing out that the MNS contested 128 seats but failed to secure a single win. He advised Thackeray to focus on his own party’s performance instead.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
