"Trying to spread a fake narrative": Maharashtra Dy CM Shinde hits back at Rahul Gandhi over 'rigging' claim
Thane (Maharashtra) [India], June 7 (ANI): Amid political uproar following Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent allegation claiming the November 2024 Maharashtra assembly election was 'rigged', Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday hit back at the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, accusing him of trying to spread a 'fake narrative' about the polls.
Speaking to reporters in Thane, Shinde dismissed Rahul Gandhi's claims of electoral rigging and EVM tampering as baseless, pointing out that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, of which the Congress is a part, was silent during their Lok Sabha 2024 election wins, where they bagged 30 out of the 48 seats in the state.
Shinde asserted that the people of Maharashtra were intelligent and would reject such tactics in any upcoming election.
'In the Lok Sabha elections, when Maha Vikas Aghadi won the elections in Maharashtra, they did not say anything. At that time, the EVMs and ECI were right... They are now trying to spread a fake narrative that the voting percentage has been increased, EVMs are rigged, or the EC is wrong,' the Maharashtra Deputy CM said.
He added, 'But the people of Maharashtra are intelligent; they understand which government works for them and which government sits at home... The public of Maharashtra will teach them a lesson in the upcoming elections.'
Earlier on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi shared an article he authored, alleging the Maharashtra Assembly elections held last year were 'rigged', and claimed that similar tactics could be repeated in the Bihar elections due later this year.
'Maharashtra assembly elections in 2024 were a blueprint for rigging democracy. My article shows how this happened, step by step,' Rahul Gandhi wrote in a post on X.
In his article, he outlined a five-point process, claiming: Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission; Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll; Step 3: Inflate voter turnout; Step 4: Target the bogus voting exactly where the BJP needs to win; Step 5: Hide the evidence.
Calling it 'match-fixing', Gandhi said that the side cheats might win the game but damage institutions and destroy public faith in the result.
'It's not hard to see why the BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra. But rigging is like match-fixing; the side that cheats might win the game, but will damage institutions and destroy public faith in the result. All concerned Indians must see the evidence. Judge for themselves. Demand answers,' he said.
He warned that the 'match-fixing' of Maharashtra would come to Bihar next, where the polls are due later this year, and then 'anywhere' the BJP was losing elections. 'Match-fixed elections are a poison for any democracy,' he added. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
19 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Saamna hints at Thackeray cousins getting together for municipal polls
MUMBAI: A day after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray declared that whatever the people of Maharashtra wanted would happen, fuelling speculation about the estranged Thackeray cousins coming together, the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna published an old picture of him with Raj Thackeray on its front page. Meanwhile, Raj held another meeting of leaders of his party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), on Saturday, reportedly seeking to gauge the mood among his workers as well as the people on the issue. After Raj, who parted ways with the undivided Shiv Sena in 2006, said in a podcast in April that he would set aside his differences with cousin Uddhav in the interest of Maharashtra, and Uddhav echoed similar sentiments, there has been rising pressure from the workers of both parties for their leaders to join hands. Uddhav on Friday said that the wish of the people of Maharashtra would be fulfilled. He also said that instead of giving any message to party workers, he would give the news to them directly. The statement was highlighted with a picture of the two cousins together in Saamna on Saturday, saying that Uddhav had been hinting about the reconciliation. This is seen as yet another indication that the Sena (UBT) is seeking a reunion. 'Leaders from both sides have been deliberating on the possibilities of coming together, as it is seen as the need of the hour for both parties,' said a Sena leader. 'Both are going through troubled phases and it is a battle for survival for them.' Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former MP Chandrakant Khaire claimed that the issue was discussed in a meeting at Thackeray's residence Matoshree a month ago. 'Uddhavji was favourably inclined towards joining hands with Raj Thackeray, and the responsibility of talks was given to Anil Parab,' he said on Saturday. The MNS too is believed to be holding meetings of its senior leaders. In one such meeting on Saturday, the issue was reportedly discussed. However, senior party leader Bala Nandgaonkar, who was part of the meeting, chose to remain silent on it. 'The decision (about joining hands with the Sena-UBT) will be taken by our top leader (Raj) and it would not be proper for me to speak about it,' he said after the meeting. Shinde Sena leader Gajanan Kirtikar surprised many in political circles by saying that even the Shinde-led Sena should join hands with the two Thackerays. 'The revival of the Thackeray brand is the need of the hour and is the sentiment among the people of Maharashtra,' he said. 'It will be a people-friendly alliance. The Shinde-led Sena should join them to revive the Shiv Sena.' Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said it would be premature to react to the potential alliance. 'It would not be fair for me to react to what Raj Thackeray has said and how Uddhav Thackeray has reacted,' said Fadnavis. 'More than the two cousins, the media is excited about the reconciliation. I will react when it actually happens.' Shinde echoed Fadnavis' remarks. 'Everybody has the right to decide whom to go with,' he said. 'There is no point in reacting to possibilities based on ifs and buts.' As positive reactions have started emerging from the two parties over the Thackeray cousins joining hands, the ruling and opposition combines have begun assessing the repercussions. The BJP leadership, while admitting that it would hamper its prospects in the urban parts of the state, claimed that it would damage the Shinde-led Shiv Sena more. The ruling alliance is wary of the consolidation of Marathi votes in urban areas, especially in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region which houses nine municipal corporations due for elections. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) expects to benefit from the two cousins joining hands. 'Raj draws crowds to his rallies but Uddhav translates the crowds into voters,' NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar remarked on Saturday while talking informally to the media. 'The MVA has a fair opportunity of benefitting from potential clashes among the ruling parties over seat-sharing in the forthcoming elections.'
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Rahul's allegation of Maha poll rigging triggers BJP, EC retorts
The Congress's rivals lashed out on Saturday against the opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging systematic rigging of the November 2024 Maharashtra elections, a claim also rebuffed by Election Commission officials who called it misinformation. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha published an op-ed on Saturday, claiming the Maharashtra polls were a 'blueprint for rigging democracy' and alleging 'industrial-scale rigging involving the capture of our national institutions'. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde dismissed Gandhi's claims as baseless, pointing out the inconsistency in the Congress leader's position. 'In the Lok Sabha elections, when Maha Vikas Aghadi won the elections in Maharashtra, they did not say anything. At that time, the EVMs and ECI were right,' Shinde told reporters in Thane. BJP chief JP Nadda accused Gandhi of manufacturing 'fake narratives' out of desperation following election defeats, saying the Congress leader was 'cooking up bizarre conspiracies' and 'defaming institutions with zero proof'. Gandhi outlined what he termed a five-step rigging process: rigging the panel for appointing the EC, adding fake voters to electoral rolls, inflating voter turnout, targeting bogus voting where the BJP needed wins, and hiding evidence. Election Commission officials, who did not want to be named, reiterated their stance of following laid-down procedures as per law, dismissing allegations of voter percentage spikes and substantial jumps in elector numbers. One of these officials emphasised that electoral roll preparation for the assembly elections occurred under the oversight of over 100,000 booth level agents appointed by political parties, including 27,099 from the Congress itself. 'Instead of writing to the EC directly, it is very strange that Rahul Gandhi keeps approaching the media seeking answers to his doubts again and again,' said this top-level official. 'After losing the match, blaming the referee has become the standard practice.' EC did not respond to requests for a comment. The official cited above added: 'If there was an issue with the elector numbers, why were hardly any appeals preferred with the DM and the CEO under the Representation of the People Act, 1950?'. The person cited above provided comparative data to counter Gandhi's allegations, noting that Maharashtra's 8.14 per cent elector growth between 2019 and 2024 was actually lower than other states. Jharkhand recorded a 13.40 per cent jump, Telangana saw a 16.16 per cent increase, and West Bengal had an 11.36 per cent rise during comparable periods. On allegations of inflated turnout figures, the EC official explained that voter turnout data on the VTR App would logically increase after 5 PM due to logistical challenges. 'Polling teams come from varying distances and face different logistical challenges, such as late-hour voting trends, difficult geographical and weather conditions, communication issues, and tough terrain,' this person said Following the off-record responses by EC officials, Gandhi took to X at 6:56 PM on Saturday and wrote on the issue again: 'Dear EC, You are a Constitutional body. Releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not the way to respond to serious questions,' Gandhi posted, demanding the publication of consolidated, digital voter rolls and release of post-5 PM CCTV footage from Maharashtra polling booths. 'Evasion won't protect your credibility. Telling the truth will,' he added. With agency inputs
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Manipur govt suspends internet services in 5 districts for five days
The Manipur government has suspended all internet and mobile data services in five districts—Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur—for five days starting 11:45 pm on 7 June. The order also covers VSAT and VPN services. Citing a deteriorating law and order situation, the official notification stated, 'In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State of Manipur especially in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching & Bishnupur districts… there is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation.' The government order, issued by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N Ashok Kumar, was taken under Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo — ANI (@ANI) Officials warn of social media's role in escalating violence Officials believe the temporary shutdown is essential to stop the circulation of harmful content. Live Events The order warned of an 'imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public/private property, and wide spread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours, which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/messaging services on mobile services, SMS services and dongle services.' It further stated, 'To thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain peace and communal harmony… it has become necessary to take adequate measures… to stop the spread of disinformation and false rumours, through various social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.' According to the directive, social media posts and bulk messaging were being used to mobilise mobs and incite vandalism and arson, putting public safety at serious risk. 'The order is being passed ex-parte in view of the emergent situation,' it noted. Arrest sparks protests, roads blocked and tensions rise The blackout came shortly after street protests erupted in Imphal East and West districts on the night of 7 June. Protesters were reacting to the arrest of a key leader from Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei organisation. In areas such as Kwakeithel and Uripok, residents blocked roads with burning tyres and furniture. The demonstrations drew attention across the state. In a video widely shared online, BJP MP Leishemba Sanajaoba confronted security personnel and said, 'If this continues, arrest me and another MLA as well.' The statement was made in response to the police crackdown on local leaders. Militants arrested, weapons seized in crackdown At the same time, security operations intensified across the state. Three individuals linked to banned militant outfits—the Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group) and the United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK)—were arrested. During the raids, police recovered arms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and mortars. These arrests were part of a broader crackdown aimed at tackling rising militant activity in the region. State under President's rule as ethnic violence continues Manipur has remained under tension since May 2023. A prolonged ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has claimed over 260 lives. Thousands have been displaced, and the violence shows no signs of slowing. In February this year, President's Rule was imposed after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from office. The administration has since functioned under the oversight of the Union Government. This latest shutdown marks another flashpoint in the state's deepening crisis. With internet services down, movement restricted, and tensions high, residents remain caught between violence, fear, and uncertainty.
