CM Devendra Fadnavis rejects ‘vote theft’ claims, accuses Rahul Gandhi of targeting EC

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File pic

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday dismissed the Opposition's allegations of vote theft as baseless and accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of attempting to undermine public trust in constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis also rejected reports of differences within the poll panel, saying all three election commissioners had stated in a joint press statement that decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) were taken unanimously.

Fadnavis rejects allegations against Election Commission

The Congress and several Opposition parties and organisations have sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation after a recent investigation by The Indian Express reported that two election commissioners had formally objected at least 14 times over 10 months to the Election Commission's handling of the SIR process.

Rejecting the allegations of vote theft, Fadnavis said, "I want to say in very clear words that no votes were stolen. Rahul Gandhi's mind was stolen. As for that stolen mind, I would request the Prime Minister to form a committee that brings his mind back so that he speaks in the country's interest. Let him speak correctly, speak the truth."

He accused Gandhi of attempting to discredit constitutional bodies and create doubts among citizens about the democratic system.

"By creating this situation of anarchy, he wants to make people feel that the democratic system that the Constitution established cannot give them justice," he claimed.

‘All decisions were unanimous', says Fadnavis

Fadnavis said Gandhi had raised questions over several constitutional institutions, including the EC, Supreme Court, RBI and CAG.

"My question is, are the institutions created under Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution so weak that they can be eliminated?" he remarked.

He also cited the poll panel's joint statement to reject reports of dissent among the election commissioners.

"All three election commissioners have unequivocally said that they took all decisions collectively. All decisions were unanimous, and all the agendas were prepared and discussed, and decisions were taken. No one has a differing view about it. There is no dissent on the file either," Fadnavis said.

He accused Gandhi of deliberately creating confusion and said the Opposition's planned agitation over alleged SIR irregularities would not change the situation.

Fadnavis also referred to West Bengal, saying voter numbers had fallen in 15 areas following the SIR, while the Trinamool Congress won those constituencies.

On NDA allies such as Chirag Paswan and Chandrababu Naidu seeking clarification on SIR, Fadnavis said repeated allegations against the EC naturally required the poll body to issue clarifications.

(With inputs from PTI)