Mini assembly election for Fadnavis. Will demonetization affect the final outcome?
Around 70 per cent polling was reported in elections to 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats, which were held on Sunday in the backdrop of demonetization of higher value currency notes.
The polls are being viewed as 'mini' Assembly elections and also a test for the Devendra Fadnavis' government. This is for the first time that presidents of municipal councils will be elected directly by people. "Around 70 per cent voting was reported for the polls today," State Election Commissioner, J S Saharia said. While ruling alliance partners, BJP and Shiv Sena had tied up for the polls, the opposition Congress and NCP didn't formally announce any alliance.
While BJP projected development as its main plank, during campaigns Fadnavis hailed the demonetization move a major attack on black money. On its part, the Congress, among other issues including development, had also highlighted the hardships being faced by the poor and common man due to demonetization. The voting which began at 7.30 AM and ended at 5.30 PM, witnessed sporadic incidents of group clashes, an official said.
Voters of Raghuchiwadi village in Osmanabad district boycotted the election to protest against non-availability of basic amenities to the village, the official said.
During polling for the Karad municipal council in Satara district, chairman of the Maharashtra State Cooperation Council, Shekhar Charegaonkar allegedly warned a woman police constable of suspension after she objected to him taking his vehicle near the polling booth. In Wardha district, Rs 3.5 lakh cash was seized from the vehicle of an NCP candidate. In Chandrapur district, an Independent candidate climbed atop a high power cable tower and tried to woo voters.
In Parbhani district, three people were injured during quarrel between two groups, while polling for the Gangakged municipal council was on, police said. In Osmanabad district, police registered an offence under section 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC against 27 persons, after two policemen were injured in stone pelting near a police station during polling for the Murum municipal council. In Sangli district, a bandh call has been given for tomorrow after clashes between BJP and Congress activists during polling for the Tasgaon civic body.
In coastal Ratnagiri district, more than 70 per cent voting was recorded. In Kolhapur district, more than 79 per cent voters exercised their franchise across nine municipalities. The polling percentage remained around 65 per cent across six municipal councils in Nashik district. According to police, in 41 cases during the campaign for the first phase of elections, Rs 26.04 crore cash was seized. As many as 15,827 candidates were in the fray for the 3,706 seats spread over the municipal councils and nagar panchayats, where the first phase of polling was held today.
For the post of municipal council president in 147 places, there were 1,013 candidates in fray, Saharia said. Counting of votes will be taken up at 10 AM on Monday .In total, including today's phase, elections are being held for 212 civic bodies, comprising municipal councils and nagar panchayats, in four phases. The next rounds of voting are scheduled on December 14, December 18, and January 8.
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