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.
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If you have a conscience, apologize to the people: R Ashoka slams Yathindra over Nalwadi comparison
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.
