New Delhi [India]: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has backed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s claims regarding alleged irregularities in the addition of voters in Maharashtra ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections.
Priyanka Chaturvedi Questions Surge in New Voters
Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi alleged that 48 lakh new voters were added within five months, raising doubts about the fairness of the electoral process. She further accused the BJP of manipulating voter rolls to secure electoral advantage.
“The people of Maharashtra will not forgive those who conspired against Maharashtra, who drove the country’s industries out of Maharashtra, who broke two regional parties and made them betray and formed their government. Maharashtra will not forgive those who added 48 lakh new voters within five months,” she said.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations on Voter Roll Manipulation
During the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about an unprecedented increase of 70 lakh new voters before the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
“Between the Lok Sabha election, which the INDIA bloc won, and the Vidhan Sabha election, the voting population of Himachal Pradesh was added to Maharashtra’s voter roll. Almost 70 lakh new voters suddenly arrived between the two elections.”
📌 Key Statistics:
🔹 Between Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections (5 months): 48 lakh voters added
🔹 Over the past 5 years (before LS polls): 37 lakh voters added
🔹 Total new voters added in Maharashtra (2024): 72 lakh
🔹 Rahul Gandhi’s claim: “70 lakh voters favor BJP”
Maharashtra 2024 Election Results
🔸 Lok Sabha Elections (2024) – 48 Seats
- Congress: 13
- Shiv Sena (UBT): 9
- NCP (Sharad Pawar): 9
- BJP: 9
- Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde): 7
- NCP (Ajit Pawar): 1
🔸 Assembly Elections (November 2024) – 288 Seats
The Mahayuti alliance (BJP + Shinde Sena + Ajit Pawar’s NCP) won a decisive victory, securing over 235 seats:
- BJP: 132 (largest party)
- Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde): 57
- NCP (Ajit Pawar faction): 41
The INDIA bloc, which performed well in the Lok Sabha elections, failed to retain its momentum in the Assembly elections, further fueling concerns about voter roll irregularities.
BJP Yet to Respond Officially
The BJP has not yet issued an official response to these allegations. However, political analysts suggest that the discrepancy in voter roll numbers could become a major issue ahead of 2025 civic elections in Maharashtra.
With allegations of voter roll manipulation surfacing, the Election Commission of India (ECI) may face pressure to conduct an audit of the electoral process in Maharashtra.
The controversy over electoral integrity could also intensify the political battle between the Mahayuti alliance and the INDIA bloc in the run-up to future elections.