Talking to reporters, the SP Maharashtra chief claimed that the names of valid voters were added in the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar Assembly Constituency just six months before the elections in 2024, and inexplicably removed and substituted with those of non-residents
SP leader Abu Azmi has emphasised the need for accountability to protect democratic processes. File pic
A day after Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Rahul Gandhi alleged voter fraud in Karnataka and other states, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi on Friday criticised the Election Commission of India, claiming it of showing blatant bias towards the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), PTI reported. Azmi also alleged manipulation of the voter list in Maharashtra.
Talking to reporters, the SP Maharashtra chief claimed that the names of valid voters were added in the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar Assembly Constituency just six months before the elections in 2024, and inexplicably removed and substituted with those of non-residents.
He demanded an urgent audit of voter rolls and swift fixes to prevent more discrepancies.
Citing the outcome of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 – where the incumbent Mahayuti registered a thumping victory – Azmi said that the losses of key Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and veteran Balasaheb Thorat, were proof of wrongdoing during the polls.
"People must take to the streets to protest against the wrongdoing of the ECI," he said, emphasising the need for accountability to protect democratic processes.
Rahul Gandhi’s claim is case of someone cutting the branch he is sitting on: BJP
The BJP on Friday mocked Congress lawmaker Rahul Gandhi's disclosure to back his allegations of rigging in the Maharashtra assembly polls as a case of someone cutting the branch he is sitting on, and said the grand old party and its allies won most of their seats where the number of voters had increased.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav accused Gandhi of using a language unbecoming of the Leader of Opposition, noting that he had warned officials of a constitutional body such as the Election Commission of consequences for their alleged role in helping the ruling BJP.
Citing the poll body data, Yadav said the number of voters in the state assembly polls in November last year had increased by over 40 lakh compared to the Lok Sabha elections held earlier that year, and not by one crore as claimed by Gandhi.
He said the Congress leader had prepared for a long time to make his case but the foundational logic of his allegation has turned to be "incorrect".
All this work was meant to serve lies, he claimed.
His every claim should be discounted by 60 per cent from now on, the BJP leader said.
(With PTI inputs)
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