MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Monday said that with the conclusion of municipal elections and the appointment of new Mayors in several locations, the era of administrator-led governance has ended, making way for the rule of elected representatives. However, it claimed that the transition has been marred by allegations of "unethical power grab and erosion of democratic values".
In a scathing attack on the BJP, the Thackeray camp in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana' said the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to install Mayors in 10 out of 11 municipal corporations. "However, with the control over power, money, and the police force, the BJP acts as though it could install a Mayor anywhere -- even on the Moon or Mars -- and beat the drums of 'Hindu-Marathi' pride, " it said
The editorial said the way the BJP and its ilk desperately scramble and pour money into every election -- from the Lok Sabha down to the Gram Panchayats -- is staggering. "While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis advises officials to practice austerity because the state treasury is empty, why does he not see the millions being squandered by the BJP and its allies in minor elections? These people have caused the complete downfall of Maharashtra’s political culture over the last few years. The mourning period for Ajit Pawar's demise might end, but the mourning (dark cloud) over Maharashtra's political culture shows no sign of ending, " it added.