New Delhi:
In a fiery session of the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reignited controversy by alleging a significant and suspicious addition of voters to Maharashtra’s electoral rolls between the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. This accusation has drawn sharp criticism from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP leaders, who have demanded an apology from Gandhi for questioning the democratic mandate in Maharashtra.
Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, claimed that approximately 70 lakh new voters, equivalent to the population of Himachal Pradesh, were added to Maharashtra’s electoral rolls in just five months. This allegation was made during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.
However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis swiftly countered Gandhi’s claims, accusing him of insulting the people of Maharashtra and undermining the democratic process. Fadnavis emphasized that the BJP’s victory in Maharashtra, where the party secured 132 seats, was a legitimate democratic mandate and should not be questioned. He urged Gandhi to introspect and apologize for his remarks, stating that the people of Maharashtra would not forgive such slander.
The Election Commission (EC) has provided data that contradicts Gandhi’s allegations. According to the EC, 40.81 lakh electors were added between the 2024 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls, not 70 lakh as claimed by Gandhi. The EC explained that these additions were largely due to the enrollment of young voters, with 26.46 lakh electors in the 18-29 age group added during this period. This, the EC noted, is a welcome trend of increased youth participation in democracy.
Gandhi also raised concerns about 7,000 voters being registered from one building address in Shirdi, which he alleged was suspicious. However, local Congress officials and the EC have addressed this issue differently. The local Congress committee had complained about bogus voters in specific areas of Shirdi, but not specifically from one building address.
The BJP and other leaders have criticized Gandhi’s allegations as baseless and an attempt to undermine the democratic process. Maharashtra BJP leaders, including Ashish Shelar, have questioned why the Opposition feels threatened by an increase in voter turnout and have accused Gandhi of playing into the hands of “urban Naxalites.”
Gandhi and the Congress have been seeking transparency and access to voter lists, which the EC has stated are available as per the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The EC has clarified that every recognized political party is given two copies of the final electoral roll before an election free of cost, and the electoral roll is also available for download on the CEO Maharashtra website.
In summary, the controversy surrounding the addition of voters in Maharashtra’s electoral rolls has ignited a fierce political debate, with Gandhi’s allegations being met with strong rebuttals from the BJP and the Election Commission.
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