The opposition MLAs boycotted the oath-taking ceremony in the special three-day session of the newly formed Maharashtra legislative assembly today alleging the ruling alliance for the manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
None of the winning MLAs from the opposition took the oath and walked away from the ceremony. The opposition has claimed that this is not the defiance of the citizen’s mandate instead it is because of the misuse of EVMs for their benefit leading to the murder of democracy.
- They further remarked that elections should take place by ballot paper instead of EVMs to abstain from any kind of manipulation. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar refuted the allegation and urged the opposition to take the matter to the ECI or the court.
The special three-day session includes the swearing-in of MLAs, the election of the Assembly Speaker, a trust vote for the new government, and an address by the Governor.
The opposition had also boycotted the Mahayuti swearing-in ceremony held at Azad Maidan, Mumbai on December 5.
