‘Double standards’: Maharashtra BJP slams Opposition’s November 1 protest against EC

Within six months, however, when the MVA was defeated in the Assembly polls, they blamed the EC and raised vote irregularities, he added.

“The Opposition is just playing politics. They have no issues to counter the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra. So they have come up with ideas to build fake narratives,” Ban added.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the MVA won 31 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra and the Mahayuti just 17. However, the BJP secured a landslide victory in the Assembly elections later that year, winning 132 of the 288 seats. Along with alliance partners Shiv Sena (57) and Nationalist Congress Party (41), the Mahayuti’s tally went up to 230 seats. In comparison, the MVA won just 46 seats.

“The Opposition rally will start from Fashion Street instead of Hindu Gymkhana. It shows the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s allergy to the word Hindu. After joining hands with the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray has given up Hindutva. Now they cannot stand the term Hindu,” Ban alleged.

“The Opposition protest is going to turn into a fashion show, and people will ensure it ends as a flop show,” Ban added.

Responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s allegation that the BJP was showing interest in the Mumbai Cricket Association with financial motives in sight, Ban said, “It is a baseless charge.”

Raut should first question NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar—he has served as the MCA president for two terms—Ban added. “If Raut has the guts, he should ask Sharad Pawar why he took so much interest in MCA. Raut should also question his own party’s Milind Narvekar, who is an MCA member,” he further said.