Latest news with #EVMs
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Guaranteed' victory claim: Row erupts in Maharashtra; did you use ‘vote-riggers', Devendra Fadnavis asks Sharad Pawar
Chief Minister Fadnavis strongly criticized Sharad Pawar's revelation about being offered guaranteed victories in the Maharashtra assembly polls. Fadnavis questioned Pawar's delayed response and suggested he should have reported the incident to authorities. NAGPUR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday launched a sharp attack on NCP ( Sharad Pawar ) founder Sharad Pawar over his recent revelation that last year two unidentified persons offered to "guarantee" victory in 160 out of 288 seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls, questioning if Pawar kept quiet for so long because he "used the services offered". Addressing the media in Nagpur, Fadnavis said Pawar's remarks, made on Saturday, raised serious questions about political ethics and transparency. "You are responsible citizens. If someone approaches you saying they can influence elections, why did you not file a complaint with the police or the Election Commission? Or did you use their services and are now speaking up?" he asked. Pawar claimed that the mysterious duo first met him in Delhi and later he arranged a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. Both leaders, according to Pawar, declined the offer as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wanted to contest "fairly." Dismissing this explanation, Fadnavis alleged, "It is shocking that such elements are being introduced to each other. If someone is conspiring, someone is saying they will commit fraud, your duty is to file a complaint. This is not just casual talk - it is about the credibility of our democracy." The CM said the incident could not be brushed aside as political gossip. "The Election Commission has repeatedly thrown open a challenge to political parties, engineers and technocrats to try and hack EVMs, but no one has succeeded. If you believe there is fraud, take your evidence there. Instead, we hear these Salim-Javed style stories," he remarked, referring to Rahul Gandhi's statements. Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the opposition is making these claims is a case of "sour grapes". "I want to challenge the opposition to find mistakes with the voter list now that local body polls are round the corner. They should go through the voter list now and come forward with any issues. But I know that the opposition will keep quiet now and then after results they will start complaining, blaming the voters list," Bawankule said. On the Mandal Yatra launched by NCP (Sharad Pawar), Fadnavis accused the party of using OBC issues only for political gain. "Three decades later, they suddenly remember OBCs. The reality is that for years, they denied benefits to the community and played double games on OBC reservation. Now, after the electoral setback, they want to reclaim lost ground by such yatras. But these will not yield results," he said. Fadnavis also alleged that whenever OBC reservation was under threat, Pawar's camp failed to take a clear stand. "The OBC community has seen through this. They know who stood firmly with them and who only gave speeches," he said. Fadnavis added, "Maharashtra voters have given us a clear mandate. Spreading baseless stories and casting aspersions on that mandate is an insult to the people." Bawankule agreed saying Pawar failed to help OBCs during his days in power. "For almost six decades he has been in active politics. In this time Pawar has held cabinet posts, been CM and a Union minister. But never did he remember OBCs then. The real justice to OBCs was given by BJP," said Bawankule. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sena (UBT) backs Pawar, says same duo offered to help them win 60-65 seats through EVM management
Mumbai: A day after the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar alleged that ahead of the assembly polls in November 2024, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was approached by two persons who claimed they could help the alliance win 160 seats, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Sunday claimed the two same people had offered to secure the party's victory in 60-65 'difficult' seats by managing electronic voting machines (EVMs). Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut (HT PHOTO) 'I was present at that meeting, where Uddhav Thackeray told them that he believes in the democratic system and rejected their offer,' Raut told reporters on Sunday morning. Both the NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) are part of the MVA alongside the Congress and other smaller parties. The alliance had performed well in the Lok Sabha elections held in June 2024, winning 30 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra. But it was trounced in the assembly polls held barely six months later, winning only 50 out of 288 seats. On Saturday, Pawar told reporters in Nagpur that two people had approached him ahead of the assembly polls and guaranteed wins for the MVA in 160 of the 288 seats through 'EVM management'. 'MVA rejected the offer as we wanted to play it fair,' Pawar told reporters. He did not name the two persons or specify their organisational affiliation. On Sunday, Raut too said that Thackeray had rejected an offer from the same two persons as he was confident of the MVA's victory, given the atmosphere in the state. 'We had done well in the Lok Sabha polls and were expecting a repetition of the results in the state polls,' the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said. When Thackeray and other Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders rejected the offer to secure wins in 60-65 through 'EVM management', the duo told them that the ruling Mahayuti alliance had planned to rig EVMs and electoral rolls to ensure the MVA's loss in the election. 'Now, we have realised that the people who had approached us were right,' Raut said. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) said it will organise state-wide protests under the banner of 'Janakrosh Andolan' against the Mahayuti government's corrupt practices and to seek the resignation of corrupt ministers. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray will participate in the demonstration at Shivaji Park, said sources in Shiv Sena (UBT). Mahayuti alliance for BEST poll After the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, respectively, decided to jointly contest the elections to the BEST Employees' Cooperative Credit Society, five unions affiliated to the ruling Mahayuti alliance have forged an alliance for the polls scheduled on August 18. The alliance, Sahakar Samruddhi Panel, includes the Pravin Darekar and Prasad Lad-led Shramik Utkarsh Sabha, the Samarth BEST Kamgar Sanghatana led by fisheries minister Nitesh Rane, the Rashtriya Karmachari Sena led by Shiv Sena leader Kiran Pawaskar, the BEST SC/ST/VJNT Welfare Association led by Mahendra Salve and the Bahujan Sangh founded by the late Manoj Sansare. The 84-year-old credit society has been under the control of the BEST Kamgar Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray for the past nine years, said Sanjay Ghadigaonkar, spokesperson of the Sahakar Samruddhi Panel. 'There has been widespread corruption in the functioning of the credit society over the past nine years, due to which many members have resigned and the society has been downgraded,' said Ghadigaonkar. The credit society was downgraded from 'A' to 'B' category by the banking regulator based on its financial performance. 'The society is in a state of crisis and our panel will win the polls and eliminate corruption,' Ghadigaonkar said.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Did Pawar, Rahul use services of ‘vote-rigging group', asks CM
Nagpur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday launched a sharp attack on NCP (Sharad Pawar) founder Sharad Pawar over his recent revelation that last year two unidentified persons offered to "guarantee" victory in 160 out of 288 seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls, questioning if Pawar kept quiet for so long because he "used the services offered". Addressing the media in Nagpur, Fadnavis said Pawar's remarks, made on Saturday, raised serious questions about political ethics and transparency. "You are responsible citizens. If someone approaches you saying they can influence elections, why did you not file a complaint with the police or the Election Commission? Or did you use their services and are now speaking up?" he asked. Pawar claimed that the mysterious duo first met him in Delhi and later he arranged a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. Both leaders, according to Pawar, declined the offer as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wanted to contest "fairly." Dismissing this explanation, Fadnavis alleged, "It is shocking that such elements are being introduced to each other. If someone is conspiring, someone is saying they will commit fraud, your duty is to file a complaint. This is not just casual talk — it is about the credibility of our democracy." The CM further said that the incident could not be brushed aside as political gossip. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This AI Tutor Lets You Learn Languages Your Way Talkpal AI Learn More Undo "The Election Commission has repeatedly thrown open a challenge to political parties, engineers and technocrats to try and hack EVMs, but no one has succeeded. If you believe there is fraud, take your evidence there. Instead, we hear these Salim-Javed style stories," he remarked, referring to Rahul Gandhi's earlier statements. Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the opposition is making these claims is a case of "sour grapes". "I want to challenge the opposition to find mistakes with the voter list now that local body polls are round the corner. They should go through the voter list now and come forward with any issues. But I know that the opposition will keep quiet now and then after results they will start complaining, blaming the voters list," Bawankule said. On the Mandal Yatra launched by NCP (Sharad Pawar), Fadnavis accused the party of using OBC issues only for political gain. "Three decades later, they suddenly remember OBCs. The reality is that for years, they denied benefits to the community and played double games on OBC reservation. Now, after the electoral setback, they want to reclaim lost ground by such yatras. But these will not yield results," he said. Fadnavis also alleged that whenever OBC reservation was under threat, Pawar's camp failed to take a clear stand. "The OBC community has seen through this. They know who stood firmly with them and who only gave speeches," he said. Reiterating that the BJP remained committed to OBC welfare, Fadnavis said, "Maharashtra's voters have given us a clear mandate. Spreading baseless stories and casting aspersions on that mandate is an insult to the people." Bawankule agreed saying Pawar failed to help OBCs during his days in power. "For almost six decades he has been in active politics. In this time Pawar has held cabinet posts, been CM and a Union minister. But never did he remember OBCs then. The real justice to OBCs was given by BJP," said Bawankule. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Did you use 'vote-riggers', Fadnavis asks Sharad Pawar
NAGPUR: Maharashtra chief minister Sunday asked NCP(SP) chief whether he had used the services of "vote-riggers", a day after Pawar alleged that two unidentified persons had offered him and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi "guaranteed" victory in 160 out of 288 seats in the assembly polls last year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "You (Pawar) are responsible citizens. If someone approaches you saying they can influence elections, why did you not file a complaint with police or ? Or did you use their services and are now speaking up?" Fadnavis said in Nagpur. Pawar on Saturday alleged the duo first met him in Delhi, and later he arranged a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. Pawar claimed that both he and Rahul declined the offer as MVA wanted to contest "fairly." Fadnavis said, "It is shocking that such elements are being introduced to each other. If someone is conspiring, if someone says they will commit fraud, your duty is to file a complaint. This is not just casual talk - it is about credibility." The CM said the claims could not be brushed aside. "EC has repeatedly thrown open a challenge to political parties, engineers, and technocrats to try and hack EVMs, but no one has succeeded. If you believe there is fraud, take your evidence there. Instead, we hear these Salim-Javed-style stories," he remarked, referring to Rahul's earlier statements. Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the opposition's claims were a case of "sour grapes. " "I want to challenge the opposition to find mistakes in the voter list now that local body polls are round the corner. They should examine the voter list now and come forward with any issues. But I know the opposition will keep quiet now, and then, after the results, they will start complaining," he said.
India Today
15 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Sharad Pawar claims he got 160-seat win offer for MVA, Devendra Fadnavis retorts
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday claimed that two persons had approached him ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls, and "guaranteed" a victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi in 160 out of 288 seats. The claim drew sharp reaction from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who slammed the veteran politician for "hiding" it from the Election Commission, if it ever happened, and also asked whether he ever "utilised" such people to his said the two men met him in Delhi, guaranteeing victory in the polls. The NCP chief went ahead and said that he took them to Rahul Gandhi, who refused the offer, saying the Opposition should not indulge in such back, Fadnavis asked why the Opposition leaders did not approach the Election Commission or police over the issue. "Have you also tried using such people? Who came to you with the idea of influencing the elections? I am surprised that such people approach these big leaders with the idea of influencing the elections of India, and the leaders introduce them to each other," he said."They did not complain to the police, or the Election Commission. They did not act on it, which means, they have tried using them," he added, while dubbing Pawar and Rahul Gandhi's claims on poll rigging "cooked-up stories".Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also echoed Pawar's claim, saying two persons had also met party chief Uddhav Thackeray ahead of last year's state polls and ensured victory "through EVMs" in 60-65 difficult explosive claims came a day after Rahul Gandhi alleged that the poll body was "hiding a big crime" by refusing to share electronic voter lists and polling booth videos, claiming this was done to shield the BJP's alleged theft of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka and other states, a claim vehemently refuted by the poll body, who sought "proof" from him to prove what he was saying was indeed Saturday's media briefing, Fadnavis slammed Rahul Gandhi for not complying with the poll panel's demand that he give a declaration on oath about his allegations."Will you say I have already taken an oath under the Constitution if the court asks you to submit an affidavit?" he said, adding it was Gandhi's usual tactic to tell a lie and go away (without substantiating it)."Why doesn't Gandhi give a declaration in a quasi-judicial matter? Because he is lying, and if caught, he will be liable to face criminal proceedings," Fadnavis further also raked up the "EVM hack" claim often made by several opposition parties after poll losses and asked as to why none of them came forward to join the "EVM hackathon" organised by the chief poll the Maharashtra Assembly elections held last November, the BJP won 132 out of the 288 seats, while its allies - Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) - added 57 and 41 seats to the Mahayuti alliance's tally, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of the Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), who won a total of 46 seats in the 2024 elections, alleged discrepancies in EVMs and anomalies of data.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Maharashtra#Devendra Fadnavis#Sharad Pawar#Rahul Gandhi
