In a significant move, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) led by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray announced its decision to boycott the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MLAs in Maharashtra. Thackeray cited concerns over the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and alleged manipulation during the elections, prompting the opposition's protest.

On Saturday, Thackeray expressed his doubts, saying, "If this had truly been the people's mandate, there would have been celebrations and happiness among the masses, but there was none. We have serious doubts about the integrity of EVMs," and further claimed, "Democracy is being murdered."

The opposition's boycott came on the first day of a special three-day session of the Maharashtra assembly, during which newly elected MLAs were to take their oaths. The Speaker election is scheduled for Monday. While BJP MLAs, including Chainsukh Sancheti, took their oath, the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP) MLAs abstained from participating.

After the swearing-in of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Congress leader Nana Patole also opted to exit the proceedings. In a show of solidarity, opposition members gathered outside the Vidhan Bhavan to pay respects to Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at his statue, further highlighting their protest.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav emphasized the opposition's stance, stating, "While we are not against taking the oath as MLAs, we have decided to abstain on this day. The so-called mandate in the assembly polls is not the people's verdict, but rather one influenced by the manipulation of EVMs. As a protest against this, we have chosen not to take the oath on the first day of the session."

This move by the opposition is likely to further intensify the ongoing debate over the credibility of EVMs in Maharashtra’s recent elections.

Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray says, "Today we have decided that our (Shiv Sena UBT) winning MLAs will not take oath. If this was the mandate of the people, people would have been happy and celebrated it, but people did not celebrate this victory anywhere. We have doubts about EVM."