Sachin Ahir elected unopposed as Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra Legislative Council
Mumbai, July 1
Shiv Sena UBT leader and MLC Sachin Ahir, who jumped ship to the Eknath Shinde camp, was on Wednesday elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
The unanimous election was secured after the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) nominee, J M Abhyankar, withdrew his nomination candidature in adherence to the traditional conventions of the Upper House. Following the withdrawal of the opposition's challenge, Ahir's election to the constitutional post was formally announced.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, several ruling and opposition members, congratulated Ahir for his election, wishing him good luck.
The election follows a major political shift less than 24 hours prior, when Ahir-a prominent Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and close confidante of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray-switched over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Ahir had filed his nomination on Tuesday in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.
Ahir's swift elevation to the Deputy Chairperson position delivers another substantial setback to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) camp, which recently saw six of its Lok Sabha MPs switch sides.
Because Ahir was originally elected to the Legislative Council in July 2022 under the unified Shiv Sena's 'bow and arrow' symbol-which is currently recognised with the Shinde faction-the transition avoids triggering anti-defection disqualification proceedings.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had welcomed the development, stating that Ahir's extensive background in municipal coordination, legislative affairs, and Mumbai's labour union politics will significantly strengthen the Mahayuti coalition's functioning in the Upper House.
Meanwhile, leaders from the opposition MVA indicated that the decision to withdraw their candidate was aimed at maintaining the dignity and collaborative traditions of the state legislature.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Mahayuti is playing smart politics. Ahir's experience in municipal coordination and labour unions will definitely help the Upper House function better. But I feel bad for Uddhav ji - his party is losing people left and right. Democracy is about choices, but this feels like a circus.
The opposition withdrawing their candidate to maintain "dignity and collaborative traditions" is just a face-saving excuse. They knew they didn't have numbers. MVA is crumbling - first Lok Sabha defections, now this. Thackeray family's political legacy is fading fast.
This anti-defection law needs serious reform. How can someone switch parties and not face any consequences? The 2022 election under 'bow and arrow' symbol should be void once he changes allegiance. Our democracy deserves better than this political game of musical chairs. 🎵
Eknath Shinde knows how to consolidate power. First many MLAs, then six MPs, now a MLC elevated to Deputy Chairperson. This is how coalitions work - you reward those who join you. But I wonder what Aaditya Thackeray must be feeling. His close aide just walked away. 😔
Honestly, this is just politics as usual in India. People jump parties for power and positions. The real losers are the voters who thought they were electing someone loyal to a particular ideology. Ahir might be competent, but his integrity is questionable. Beta, izzat toh rakho! (Have some self-respect!)
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