Rahul Narwekar's immediate action and re-election in unopposed elected wards demanded by Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) President Aditya Thackeray on Sunday demanded that the results be annulled and fresh elections be held in the municipal wards of Maharashtra where candidates have been declared elected unopposed. He alleged that such incidents have severely damaged the democratic process ahead of the January 15 municipal elections.

Thackeray's demand comes at a time when 68 candidates of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance have been elected unopposed in various wards. Addressing a joint press conference with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray at the Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar, he said that the situation has raised serious questions about the transparency and fairness of the elections.

He claimed that democratic values are being systematically weakened and said that the country's atmosphere has been created in such a way that mob rule is being seen in place of democracy. He urged the State Election Commission to intervene immediately and ensure a level playing field for all in the municipal elections.

The matter gained more intensity when a video went viral, allegedly showing Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar intimidating opposition candidates during the nomination process. Thackeray termed the video as shocking and said that immediate action should be taken in the matter.

He said that the Speaker openly intimidating candidates and voters is a very serious matter. Thackeray demanded that not only should immediate action be taken against Narvekar, but he should also be suspended from office and a criminal case should be registered against him. He alleged that the right to vote of voters has been snatched away by ensuring unopposed victories.

There has also been a strong reaction from opposition parties on the controversy. The Maharashtra Congress has also demanded that a criminal case be registered against the Speaker and has accused him of violating the code of conduct during the nomination process. Meanwhile, Narvekar has denied all allegations and presented his stance, claiming that he was pressured at the time. According to him, a former member of the Legislative Council tried to stop him with his security personnel, and he has complained to the police about it. The controversy has heated up the state's politics ahead of the municipal elections, where opposition parties are demanding institutional accountability, while the Speaker has termed the allegations as a result of political motivations.