Shiv Sena Challenges Ex-Mayor's Nomination in Mumbai Elections
Legal Action Against Ex-Mayor's Candidacy
On Monday, the Shiv Sena initiated legal proceedings in the Bombay High Court, contesting the nomination of Kishori Pednekar, a candidate from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and former mayor, for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The party alleges that she failed to disclose pertinent information regarding multiple legal cases against her.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation serves as the governing body for Mumbai.
Susie Shah, representing the faction of Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, presented the petition to a bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, requesting an expedited hearing.
However, the bench declined the urgency of the request, citing the imminent election date. They indicated that the matter would be addressed post-elections.
The elections for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the BMC, are scheduled for Thursday, with results expected to be announced on January 16.
Pednekar has filed her nomination to contest from Ward 199 in Central Mumbai.
In her petition, Shah is urging the court to instruct the returning officer to deem Pednekar's nomination form as 'illegal, invalid, and improper,' and to reject it outright.
Shah claims that Pednekar's affidavit omitted details regarding five first information reports (FIRs) lodged against her at various police stations in Mumbai during her mayoral term, including one related to alleged fraud during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shah further accused the Uddhav Sena candidate of misusing the electoral process by submitting a 'false and misleading' nomination form, asserting that she lacks the moral authority to run for office.
Supreme Court Extends Election Timeline
In a related development, the Supreme Court has granted a two-week extension for completing local body elections in Maharashtra. This includes elections for all local governing bodies, such as zilla parishads, panchayats, and municipal corporations.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joyamalya Bagchi issued this order following a request from the State Election Commission, represented by advocate Balbir Singh, who sought a 10-day extension beyond the January 31 deadline.
Singh explained that the extension was necessary as elections for certain zila parishads and panchayats had not yet taken place.
Previously, on September 16, the Supreme Court criticized the State Election Commission for not adhering to a prior timeline for conducting local body elections, establishing January 31 as the final deadline.
The elections for 27 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, along with 243 nagar parishads and 289 panchayats, have been delayed since 2022 due to ongoing legal disputes regarding reservations for Other Backward Classes.
This situation has resulted in many urban and rural bodies operating without elected representatives, as the terms of these representatives expired between 2020 and 2022.