The issue of notice to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in an election case has stirred political circles in the state. The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Thursday issued notice to Fadnavis in connection with an election petition challenging his 2024 win from the Nagpur South West assembly seat. The petition was filed in January by the Congress's candidate Prafulla V Gudadhe, who had lost to Fadnavis by a margin of 39,710 votes. Sources in the BJP said the election petition was not a matter of worry. "Fadnavis is on strong grounds both on law and facts. There is nothing to be concerned about," an office-bearer added.
Nevertheless the outcome of the litigation will be keenly watched not only by the opposition but also by Fadnavis' detractors within the BJP and the ruling Mahayuti. It is well known that deputy CM Eknath Shinde is yet to reconcile to the denial of the CM post. He had insisted that he be renominated to the post after the last assembly poll on the ground that the resounding success of the Mahayuti in the polls was principally due to the massive popularity of the Ladli Bahin scheme, which is his brainchild.
In the plea, Gudadhe alleged procedural lapses and corrupt practices and had sought that the HC declare Fadnavis' win "null and void". Justice Pravin Patil took up the plea for hearing in his chamber on Thursday and issued notice to the respondent CM.
"Justice Pravin Patil issued summons (notice) to CM Fadnavis returnable on May 8," Gudadhe's lawyer Pavan Dahat said.
On the next date, Fadnavis will have to appear through a lawyer and respond to the petition.
Several mandatory provisions were not followed during the polls held in November last year, Gudadhe's lawyers Dahat and AB Moon alleged. Prafulla Gudadhe's father Vinod was twice elected from the same constituency on a BJP ticket. He was also a minister of state in the Narayan Rane ministry.
The Mahayuti swept the assembly polls, winning 230 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, following which Fadnavis became CM.
Meanwhile, the high court also issued summons (notices) to BJP MLA Mohan Mate from Nagpur West and Kirtikumar Bhangdia from Chimur seat in Chandrapur district in similar election petitions.
(With inputs from PTI)
