Maharashtra election marred by misuse of power and money, says Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar expresses discontent over Maharashtra election results, supports activist's hunger strike against corruption, urges public involvement.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) supremo Sharad Pawar said on Saturday that there was growing discontent among the people of Maharashtra over the outcome of the just-concluded Assembly election.

He was speaking in Pune after meeting veteran social activist Baba Adhav, who was on a hunger strike alleging rampant corruption in the Assembly election.

Calling Mr. Adhav’s agitation a “hope” for the common people, Mr. Pawar said: “This Assembly election was marred by the misuse of power and money; there is a need for people to join the cause. Irregularities are common in local elections, but never seen in State elections.”

The Mahayuti coalition comprising the BJP, the Shiv Sena and the NCP had won 235 seats in the 288-member Assembly in the election.

Mr. Adhav got support from top leaders across various parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP leader Jayant Patil. They met the 95-year-old activist on Saturday and urged him to end the hunger strike.

Mr. Adhav and his subordinates began their fast at Mahatma Phule Wada in Pune on November 28 to protest against the “mockery of the Constitution and democracy” in the election. 

Calling Mr. Adhav a guiding light, Mr. Thackeray said: “We need someone to guide us, tell us we are doing the right thing, and your agitation is the sign. But please don’t continue your strike.”