Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, alleging that the victory of the Mahayuti alliance in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections was orchestrated by BJP leaders in Delhi rather than being a result of popular mandate.
“This government has not come by the votes of the people. It has been formed because of the BJP people sitting in Delhi. They do not care about the people,” Patole stated after meeting with the Election Commission to discuss concerns about the electoral process.
A Congress delegation led by Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi also met with the Election Commission to highlight alleged irregularities in the voter list and discrepancies in polling data.
Key Allegations Raised by Congress:
- Massive Voter Deletions:
- Congress claims large-scale deletions in the voter list in Maharashtra.
- The party has demanded detailed, constituency-wise, and booth-wise data to understand the basis for these deletions.
- Suspicious Additions to Voter List:
- Congress flagged the addition of approximately 47 lakh voters between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, raising concerns about the verification process for these entries.
- Singhvi questioned the lack of transparency, asking for the raw data and documentation supporting these additions.
- Unusual Turnout Variations:
- Congress highlighted a seven per cent difference in voter turnout and pointed to 118 constituencies where polling increased by over 25,000 votes between the two elections.
Singhvi’s Statement:
“If elections are not conducted properly, it undermines the fundamental structure of the Constitution. Our submission was that the Election Commission should extract data and provide facts on the issues we have raised, based on which we will conclude.”
The results of the Maharashtra assembly elections, declared on November 23, saw the Mahayuti alliance—comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—secure a commanding victory. However, Congress has alleged electoral manipulation and has urged the Election Commission to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
This development highlights the growing tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition parties as they contest the legitimacy of the election outcome.