The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) expressed concerns about the methods used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to secure victories in the recent state elections. In an editorial in their publication ‘Saamana,’ the party criticized what they termed the “Modi-Shah pattern” of influencing election outcomes in states like Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. The editorial highlighted the alleged role of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in aiding the BJP’s success in West Bengal.
The editorial pointed out that the BJP’s victories in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, facilitated by what they perceive as questionable tactics, could have significant implications for national politics. It raised doubts about the fairness of the electoral process and the role of the Election Commission in ensuring free and fair elections. The Shiv Sena emphasized the need for opposition parties to carefully consider their participation in future elections given the perceived irregularities in the recent polls.
The Shiv Sena criticized the BJP’s post-election celebrations as a distortion of democracy, particularly in light of ongoing societal issues such as rising crimes against women. The party questioned the prioritization of political festivities over addressing critical social challenges, labeling the celebrations as a concerning reflection of the current state of Indian democracy.
