Mumbai (Maharashtra), June 8: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday over his recent allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing him of misreading public sentiment and deflecting blame.
In a sharp Hindi remark, Fadnavis said, “Ta-umr Rahul Gandhi aap yahi galti karte rahe, dhool chehre pe thi aur aap aina saaf karte rahe” — implying that Gandhi continues to blame institutions for failures rooted within his own party.
Earlier, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav backed Rahul Gandhi’s criticism, claiming that the BJP had “hijacked constitutional institutions” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “Before the ECI announces elections, BJP IT Cell knows the schedule,” Yadav alleged, warning citizens to remain alert.
The political row intensified after Rahul Gandhi demanded the ECI publish machine-readable voter rolls for the latest Lok Sabha and state elections, including Maharashtra, claiming transparency would restore credibility.
In response, the Election Commission dismissed the claims as “unsubstantiated,” noting that it had already addressed similar concerns raised by the Congress in December 2024. The ECI warned that spreading misinformation not only dishonors the law but also disrespects the thousands of officials and staff who ensure smooth and transparent elections.
The Commission stated, “After any unfavourable verdict, trying to defame the ECI by calling it compromised is absurd and demoralizing for poll workers.”
Gandhi had earlier slammed the ECI’s response as “unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries,” accusing the institution of lacking accountability.
The political heat is expected to escalate further as opposition leaders continue to press for electoral reforms and transparency, especially with upcoming state elections on the horizon.