Assembly dissolved, way cleared for joint polls

MUMBAI, JULY 15: The Governor Dr PC Alexander today dissolved the state assembly on the recommendation of the state cabinet, paving way f...

MUMBAI, JULY 15: The Governor Dr PC Alexander today dissolved the state assembly on the recommendation of the state cabinet, paving way for simultaneous elections in the state. The ball was set rolling after Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray agreed to the BJP’s proposal of holding joint polls at a high level meeting of the alliance which deliberated on the pros and cons of the move. Thackeray was finally convinced when the Union Information and Broadcasting Minster Pramod Mahajan assured him that President’s rule would not be imposed in the state after the assembly is dissolved. Subsequently, the cabinet sent a recommendation to Governor PC Alexander, urging him to dissolve the Assembly.

Interestingly, Chief Minister Narayan Rane and his cabinet colleagues have not resigned from their posts and Rane intends to stay in the office not just as a caretaker chief minister but as the head of a full-fledged government.

Talking to The Indian Express, Rane said there was no possibility of imposition of President’s rule since the cabinet has recommended dissolution of the assembly. “I do not think that Central rule will be imposed in Maharashtra. I am sure we will continue in the office. Since we have not resigned, we shall function as the full-fledged government. It will not be a caretaker government,” Rane pointed out.

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The decision on simultaneous polls was taken at the coordination committee meeting, which was attended by Thackeray, Mahajan, Chief Minister Narayan Rane, Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, former Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, Udhav and Raj Thackeray, BJP leaders Suryabhan Wahadane and Sharad Kulkarni.

After the meeting, a delegation led by Rane, Munde and Irrigation Minister Eknath Khadse called on Alexander at Raj Bhavan to convey him the decision of the cabinet.

“We have urged Alexander to dissolve the assembly. We also requested the Governor to recommend to the Election Commission to hold simultaneous polls along with the Lok Sabha,” Rane said.

Earlier, the coordination committee discussed at length the pros and cons of simultaneous polls. While the BJP was in favour of simultaneous elections, Shiv Sena was against it on the ground that the alliance should be allowed to complete its full five year term.

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According to a senior Shiv Sena leader, former Chief Minister Manohar Joshi argued against simultaneous polls for two reasons. Firstly, there could be confusion among the voters, particularly in rural parts of the state. Joshi’s contention that if simultaneous polls were held, voters in one constituency will have to stamp on two different symbols – BJP and Shiv Sena – if the parties put up different candidates for Lok Sabha and assembly.

Elaborating his contention, Joshi said, if in one particular constituency, the Lok Sabha nominee belongs to Shiv Sena (Bow and Arrow symbol) and the assembly candidate in the same segment belongs to the BJP (Lotus symbol), then there is bound to be confusion.

Second issue raised by Joshi was about shortage of party workers. In the event, simultaneous polls are held, then it will be difficult for both BJP and Shiv Sena to organise such a large number of party workers for the purpose.

On the other hand, BJP submitted that it will be better if the polls for Lok Sabha and assembly are held simultaneously. It’s contention was that in view of the outstanding performance of the alliance government and also owing to the improved image of the centre for resolving the Kargil episode, the alliance will secure absolute majority.

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BJP contended that the alliance government has done laudable work in providing drinking water, construction of flyovers and projects under the Krishna Valley Development Corporation. Above all, BJP leader pointed out that the crisis ridden opposition has absolutely no cause against the alliance government.

According to Thackeray, the decision to hold simultaneous polls, was taken after taking into consideration all aspects. “At the end, we felt that it will benefit us, therefore, we decided to opt for simultaneous polls,” Thackeray said.

On sharing of seats, Thackeray said there would be no change in the existing arrangement. For the Lok Sabha, BJP will contest 26 seats, while Shiv Sena will field its nominees for 22 seats. For assembly, the Shiv Sena will contest 171, while BJP will contest 117 seats. “For the assembly elections, we will accommodate independent legislators supporting the government,” Thackeray added.

Replying to a question, Thackeray said the contest for both Lok Sabha as well as assembly will be one sided in view of the vertical split in the Congress. “In the last elections, we won despite the presence of united Congress. Now, in view of the vertical split, it will not be difficult for us to secure clear majority in the assembly elections,” he pointed out.