Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly criticised the Indian National Congress for its ongoing allegations of “vote theft” in recent elections, calling the party’s claims baseless and politically motivated. Fadnavis specifically claimed that a BJP MLA from Satara district, Atul Bhosale, exposed how family members and associates of former Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan cast votes at more than one polling station, suggesting irregularities within the Congress’s own ranks rather than in opposition parties.
Addressing reporters, Fadnavis rejected the opposition’s narrative that elections were compromised and accused Congress leaders of trying to distract from their electoral defeats by alleging “vote theft” without credible evidence. He argued that such claims undermine voter confidence and disrespect the mandate given by the people.
Fadnavis’s comments come amid a wider political exchange where opposition leaders have staged protests and public demonstrations alleging discrepancies in voter rolls and election processes. In response, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has challenged Congress to provide signed evidence for its allegations or apologise, reinforcing that unsubstantiated claims will not be accepted.
The debate has intensified ahead of upcoming local elections, with both sides striving to influence public perception. While Congress continues to press for transparency and electoral reforms, Fadnavis and BJP leaders maintain that their electoral victories reflect genuine public support and a functioning democratic process.