MOMENTS after the Election Commission of India declared the schedule for the single phase Maharashtra assembly election, leaders of the ruling Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi had their own take on the annoucement. While the Mahayuti hailed the announcement, calling it the biggest festival of democracy, the opposition lamented while less time has been given for campaigning, the government will fall in one stroke. Reacting to the annoucement of the Maharashtra assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "The biggest festival of democracy has been announced by the Election Commisison of India today. Diwali is a festival of lights, and we shall celebrate another Diwali on November 23. Maharashtra awaits blessings of the voters and strong mandate for the sake of development." Fadnavis said under the BJP's leadership, big wins were registered in the 2014 and 2019 assembly elections. Let us all come together and celebrate Mahayuti's mega victory on November 23. Everyone should participate in this festival of democracy.'' Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, who is a Congress leader, said that the ECI has given less time for campaigning this time. "The ECI generally gives a minimum of 40 days for the parties to finalise their candidates and submit their nomination papers besides carry out campaigning. This time it has given only 35 days which is unsual. We will have less time to campaign. I think this must be a part of some plan by the Mahayuti," he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, the MVA was fully prepared to fight the assembly elections. "Compared to the Lok Sabha, the MVA will do far better in the assembly elections. The Mahayuti is well aware of this and therefore it went on a decision-taking spree. But this will have no effect whatsoever on the voters who have made up their mind to oust the present rulers," he said. He said the ECI has failed to address the objections raised by the opposition parties over misuse of EVMs. "Even at today's press conference, the ECI officials failed to address the issue," he said. Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar said his party was completely prepared for the elections. "Our development record is testimony to our commitment for the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. Our work is before the people of Maharashtra - our historic budget, our development record, the Ladki Bahin Yojana, three free cylinders, electricity bill waivers for farmers." Telling party workers to be poll battle-ready, he said, "We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our schemes reach people and now it’s time for us to go to the people with folded hands and ask for their votes." Reaffirming his commitment to the ideals of, Shivaji, Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar, he underlined that the NCP was dedicated to ensuring everyone’s welfare and uplifting the poor. State NCP president Jayant Patil said, "Mahayuti Government is in a state of fear. The government has made several announcements to woo voters and return to power. But Maharashtra knows it very well. After this election, MVA will return to power. Maharashtra will have a single phase election. In one stroke, the Mahayuti will be ousted from power.'' Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat, "The opposition was demanding a single phase poll, now how will they react? They have no face to show." Shirsat said, "The opposition succeeded during Lok Sabha election but during the assembly election they will be swept away. We have launched several welfare measures including the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which have gone down well with voters." In his reaction, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray said, "The moment that we all have been waiting for is here. The polling will take place on November 20. The change that we want to bring is to drive away the Shinde-BJP government that has looted Maharashtra for the past two years. We waited for justice and now justice will be done by the electorate."
