shot-button
BMC Elections 2026 BMC Elections 2026
Home > Mumbai > Mumbai News > Article > BJPs Ashish Shelar accuses MVA MNS of vote jihad over duplicate voter issue

BJP's Ashish Shelar accuses MVA, MNS of ‘vote jihad’ over duplicate voter issue

Updated on: 03 November,2025 12:27 PM IST  |  Mumbai
Sanjeev Shivadekar | sanjeev.shivadekar@mid-day.com

Senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar claimed that in several constituencies, MVA candidates won by margins smaller than the number of duplicate Muslim voters

BJP's Ashish Shelar accuses MVA, MNS of ‘vote jihad’ over duplicate voter issue

Ashish Shelar. File Pic

Listen to this article
BJP's Ashish Shelar accuses MVA, MNS of ‘vote jihad’ over duplicate voter issue
x
00:00

The BJP has accused the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) of selectively targeting Hindu names while objecting to duplicate voters, calling the move “vote jihad.”

Senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar claimed that in several constituencies, MVA candidates won by margins smaller than the number of duplicate Muslim voters. “MVA and MNS are trying to create a narrative that ruling party MLAs won due to Vote Chori. Now, should the BJP say that MVA candidates won because of Vote Chori? Will Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj ask for their resignation?” Shelar asked.


BJP dares Thackeray cousins to support SIR:



The BJP has initiated a move for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which Congress had opposed in Bihar. “Uddhav and Raj should support the SIR to ensure clean electoral rolls. They should come out and back the initiative sought by the BJP,” Shelar said.

MVA and MNS are selectively highlighting duplicate voters:

MVA and Raj’s MNS have cited instances of duplicate votes in constituencies of ruling party MLAs but have conveniently ignored assembly segments represented by MVA leaders like Rohit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Uttam Jankar, Nana Patole, Varun Sardesai, and Jitendra Awhad.

“All these constituencies have thousands of duplicate names. The winning margins of many candidates from these areas are smaller than the number of duplicates. Yet, these constituencies were not mentioned by Opposition leaders during their protest rally. This is deliberate. Hindu voters are being targeted while Muslim voters are spared. We do not want to discriminate between communities — all errors should be removed from the voters’ list. But the Opposition wants revision only for Marathi and Hindu voters. This is nothing but Vote Jihad,” Shelar alleged.

BJP hits back for targeting Marathi and Hindu voters:

Last week, Opposition parties in Maharashtra announced their plan to challenge the alleged voter list irregularities in court. While doing so, Thackeray cousins Raj and Uddhav urged their party workers to deal with such voters “in their style.”

Reacting to this, Shelar said, “Initially, the Thackerays were against people from Bihar. Later, they targeted Jains, Gujaratis, and Marwadis, and now they are against Marathis. I urge both Thackerays to reconsider their stance. Let them oppose the BJP, but while doing so, they should not be dragged by the Congress, which has always pursued minority appeasement politics,” Shelar added.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Did you find this article helpful?

Yes
No

Help us improve further by providing more detailed feedback and stand a chance to win a 3-month e-paper subscription! Click Here

Note: Winners will be selected via a lucky draw.

Help us improve further by providing more detailed feedback and stand a chance to win a 3-month e-paper subscription! Click Here

Note: Winners will be selected via a lucky draw.

ashish shelar BJP Maha Vikas Aghadi maharashtra navnirman sena raj thackeray uddhav thackeray mumbai mumbai news

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK