Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly criticized the Election Commission’s recent decision to postpone elections in multiple municipal corporations and councils across the state. Speaking to the media in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Monday, Fadnavis questioned the legal basis of the move, calling it unprecedented and unfair to candidates who had already completed the nomination process.

The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) suspended and rescheduled elections in 22 municipal councils and panchayats citing procedural irregularities and ongoing court cases. These polls, initially planned for December 2, will now be held on December 20 with counting scheduled for December 21. Municipal corporations in other areas, however, will proceed as scheduled. Among the affected areas are Baramati and Talegaon in Pune, several councils in Ahilyanagar district, and multiple locations across Satara, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, and other districts.

Fadnavis argued that elections should not be postponed simply because a petitioner has moved the courts at the last minute. He cited an example from Nilanga in Latur district where election formalities had been completed, but were halted due to a legal challenge. The Chief Minister described the postponement as “completely wrong,” emphasizing that such decisions undermine the efforts of candidates who had invested time and resources into their campaigns.

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While acknowledging the independence of the Election Commission, Fadnavis expressed his intention to submit a formal representation opposing the postponement. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also called the move “unfortunate,” underscoring that election processes are typically not stopped after nominations are filed and campaigning is underway. Both leaders conveyed confidence that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance would achieve significant victories across the polls despite the delay.

The decision has stirred political controversy, with opposition critics and ruling party leaders debating the implications of postponing elections at such a critical stage. As Maharashtra gears up for these municipal battles, the impact of this rescheduling on voter sentiment and campaign strategies remains to be seen.

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