Pune Bypoll: Opposition Parties Hail HC Order, Demand Immediate Bypoll

Opposition parties in Maharashtra have lauded the Bombay High Courts decision directing the Election Commission of India to promptly conduct the bypoll for the Pune Lok Sabha seat, asserting that the constituencys residents cannot be deprived of representation for an extended period.

Opposition parties in Maharashtra have welcomed the Bombay High Court's ruling on Wednesday, which directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately hold the bypoll for the Pune Lok Sabha seat. The parties emphasized that the people of the constituency cannot be left unrepresented for an extended period.

Congress Terms HC Ruling as Rap for BJP and ECI

The Congress termed the HC ruling as a rap for the governing coalition constituent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the poll panel. Mohan Joshi, vice-president of the Maharashtra Congress, stated, "It is a big rap for the Election Commission and the BJP, which was avoiding the bypoll as it fears defeat."

NCP Echoes Congress's View

Prashant Jagtap, president of the Pune city unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Sharad Pawar group, echoed Joshi's sentiments. He said the BJP was avoiding facing the bypoll in the Lok Sabha seat as the party did not want to lose again after suffering defeat in the by-election to the Kasba assembly constituency in Pune city held earlier this year.

BJP Leader Says HC Ruling Should Not Be Seen Through Political Prism

However, BJP leader and former Pune mayor Murlidhar Mohol urged that the HC's ruling should be respected and not viewed through a political lens. He maintained that the ECI is an independent body with the right to make its own decisions, and there is no question of anyone trying to interfere in its decision-making process.

HC Calls ECI's Stand "Bizarre and Unreasonable"

Earlier in the day, a division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Kamal Khata criticized the ECI's stance on not holding the byelection, citing its preoccupation with other polls, including preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The court termed this reasoning as "bizarre and wholly unreasonable."

HC Order Prompted by Petition Against ECI's Decision

The HC passed its order in response to a plea filed by Pune resident Sughosh Joshi against a certificate issued by the EC stating that the by-election to the constituency would not be held. The seat fell vacant following the death of sitting BJP Member of Parliament Girish Bapat on March 29.

The Bombay High Court's ruling on the Pune Lok Sabha bypoll has sparked reactions from various political parties. While the opposition parties have welcomed the decision, the BJP has expressed respect for the verdict. The ECI is expected to take further action in accordance with the court's directive.