Simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls in Maharashtra?

TALK OF TOWN Maha Cong chief’s statement sparks speculation; CM says will complete term

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan’s statement that the state Assembly would be dissolved on February 28 has given rise to speculation over simultaneous state and Lok Sabha polls.

Chavan, while speaking at a rally in Aurangabad on Thursday, said, “You wait and watch. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will dissolve the state Assembly on February 28. And the Assembly polls will be announced along with the general polls. Congress workers must be prepared for this.”

Fadnavis on Friday denied any such plans. “It seems Ashokrao can predict the future, may be, there is no other work in the Congress for him. The state government will complete its term. Elections will be held at the right time,” said the CM.

The state Assembly polls are slated for October, six months after the Lok Sabha polls.

Despite Fadnavis’ denial, the Opposition parties feel the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) top brass may make a surprise announcement to ensure the Shiv Sena backs the saffron alliance.

HT had reported that one of the conditions laid down by the Sena (to align with the BJP) is that seatsharing for both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections be announced together. They may even prefer simultaneous polls.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is keen on equal seat-sharing in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, but the party is insecure about the BJP keeping its word during the state polls, which will be held later.

However, the BJP state unit has conveyed to their Delhi bosses that they would not favour simultaneous polls. Fadnavis is learnt to have told the high command that he would prefer to focus on the Lok Sabha elections to win the maximum number of seats.

Sena senior functionary also said, “We are not prepared for polls being held together, but it will ensure that the BJP does not betray us.”

Chavan insisted that something is afoot even after he was told about Fadnavis denying the possibility. “It is not in Fadnavis’ hand. The PM has indicated several times that he would prefer simultaneous polls, especially where state polls are close to the general elections. We have an indication that the state Assembly will be dissolved by the end of this month,” he said.

Senior leaders in the Congress said this was Chavan’s way of activating the organisation to prepare for a worst-case scenario. “The only party who has the wherewithal to go for simultaneous polls in terms of money is the BJP. If their Delhi bosses feel it will work in their favour, they will go ahead and announce polls together,” said a leader.