Bombay High Court Summons Maharashtra CM Fadnavis in Election Petition
Petition Challenges Fadnavis’ 2024 Assembly Poll Win
Summons Issued by Nagpur Bench
On Thursday, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court issued summons to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a petition challenging his Assembly election win in November, as reported by PTI.
Fadnavis Won Nagpur South West Seat
Fadnavis, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, had won the Nagpur South West seat in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Petition Filed by Congress Leader
The petition was filed in January by Congress leader Prafulla Vinodrao Gudadhe, who lost the seat to Fadnavis by 39,710 votes, according to The Hindu. Gudadhe alleged procedural lapses and corrupt practices and sought that the court declare Fadnavis’ win “null and void”.
Summons Returnable on May 8
Justice Pravin Patil issued the summons to Fadnavis, returnable on May 8. Gudadhe’s lawyer Pavan Dahat informed PTI about the development. The chief minister does not need to personally appear before the court on the next date, but his legal representative must respond to the petition.
Mandatory Provisions Not Followed
Gudadhe’s lawyers claimed that several mandatory provisions were not followed during the Assembly polls.
Mahayuti Alliance Sweeps Elections
The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party group, swept the elections, winning 230 seats in the 288-member Assembly.
Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi Wins 46 Seats
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by Sharad Pawar, and the Congress, won 46 seats.
Summons Issued to Other BJP MLAs
Meanwhile, the court also issued summons in similar election petitions to BJP MLA Mohan Mate from Nagpur West and Kirtikumar Bhangdia from the Chimur seat in Chandrapur district, as reported by PTI.
