Mumbai/Pune: Political parties were quick to send out messages to their workers to get ready for the much-delayed civic polls after the Supreme Court on Tuesday told the Maharashtra govt and the state election commission to conduct the elections by Jan 31, 2026.The Congress termed the top court’s order a slap on the face of the govt. The polls were being delayed on the pretext of reorganisation of wards in local bodies, but the court’s decision is a slap on the face of the govt, said Congress politician Vijay Wadettiwar.The NCP (SP) demanded that the BJP-led Maharashtra government and the State Election Commission immediately comply with the Supreme Court’s order.If they (the government and SEC) fail once again, then the apex court must take strict action, said NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto.Elections to local bodies were last held in Maharashtra in 2017 to select members of municipal councils, nagar panchayats, and municipal corporations.During the NCP (SP) meeting in Pune on Tuesday, party chief Sharad Pawar said, “Discussions on whether to go for polls independently or with an alliance will be held at the state level. Irrespective of that, we will have to gear up.” His nephew and NCP chief Ajit Pawar too told his party workers to start preparations for the polls. Addressing a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday, Pawar said, “The Supreme Court has clearly mentioned that the entire process, including the results of civic polls, has to be completed before Jan 31 next year. It means that elections will be announced very soon, and our party will have to start preparations.“On politicians from Marathwada joining NCP on Tuesday, Pawar said, “New members joining our party will increase our strength. Older party workers will not be sidelined. We will show unity between old and new in these elections.”Dy CM Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena asserted that the Mahayuti is ready to face the polls and win these hands down. “The state govt and state election commission will complete the process accordingly,” Shinde said, adding that it’s the SEC’s prerogative to declare the poll schedule. Earlier in the day, the apex court was irked by the state election commission’s (SEC) failure to comply with its order mandating the timely conclusion of the stalled local body elections.Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said polls could be held in Nov as the rains would have subsided by then.He said farmers are in distress, and there is an atmosphere of Marathas vs OBCs. “In such a scenario, conditions do not appear conducive for the ruling parties,” he said.In a post on X, Crasto alleged that the BJP-led govt and the SEC had earlier disrespected the Supreme Court order issued on May 6 to notify local body polls within four weeks and conduct elections within four months.“Now, the apex body has given a deadline of 31st January 2026 to the State Election Commission without any further extension. BJP-led Maharashtra government, and ECI, should follow the order immediately, and if they fail once again to implement, then the Supreme Court must take strict action,” the NCP spokesperson said.The poll body must hold the elections on time as directed by the top court, or the doubts of BJP influence will continue to get stronger, he added.Shinde expressed confidence that the saffron alliance would replicate its landslide victory in the assembly polls during the elections to local bodies. Shinde opined that elections should be held in an organised way without causing inconvenience.(With PTI inputs)
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