Fadnavis Turns Tables on Congress Over Vote Fraud Claims

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Congress party of engaging in the very vote manipulation tactics it has criticized others for, pointing to revelations by a BJP legislator that highlight alleged irregularities linked to a prominent opposition figure.

Fadnavis highlighted statements from BJP MLA Atul Bhosale, who represents the Karad South constituency in Satara district. Bhosale, who secured victory over former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan in the 2024 state assembly elections, has presented evidence suggesting that Chavan's family members and close associates participated in voting at multiple locations. "This development reveals the Congress party's involvement in such practices," Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai. He urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to address these findings directly.

The accusations come amid a broader controversy surrounding electoral integrity. Earlier in August 2025, Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about "vote chori" during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) failed to uphold the 'one person, one vote' principle. Gandhi cited specific data from Karnataka's Mahadevapura assembly segment under the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat, claiming over 1 lakh votes were manipulated through methods like bogus voting and deletions from voter lists. In response, the ECI strongly denied these claims, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar demanding that Gandhi submit a sworn affidavit substantiating his allegations within seven days or issue a public apology. The commission described the accusations as baseless and an insult to India's electoral system, which has enforced one vote per person since 1951.

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Shifting to national matters, Fadnavis discussed his efforts to garner support for the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) candidate in the upcoming vice-presidential election. He revealed conversations with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, appealing to their sense of Marathi pride. The NDA has nominated Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, a registered voter in Mumbai, who filed his nomination papers on August 20, 2025, accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. The opposition, under the INDIA bloc, has fielded former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy, setting the stage for a contest that tests alliance loyalties. Fadnavis noted the non-partisan nature of the election, with no party whips issued. Thackeray indicated he would consult his allies, while Pawar affirmed his commitment to the opposition candidate.

Addressing recent scrutiny over NCP MP Sunetra Pawar, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, attending an event organized by the RSS-affiliated Rashtra Sevika Samiti in Delhi, Fadnavis questioned the basis of the objections. The meeting, hosted by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on August 21, 2025, drew criticism from opposition figures, including NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who suggested it reflected pressure on Ajit Pawar. Sunetra Pawar's participation sparked debate about ideological alignments, with Ajit Pawar responding that he does not monitor his wife's activities constantly and was unaware of the event. Fadnavis defended the RSS, emphasizing its role in promoting nationalism and inclusive growth, and proudly affirmed his own association as a volunteer.

Fadnavis also touched on his recent discussion with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, held on August 21, 2025. The meeting focused on urban challenges, particularly traffic congestion in Mumbai, with Thackeray offering practical suggestions for improvement. Fadnavis assured that the government would evaluate and implement viable ideas. He acknowledged the impact of intense rainfall on infrastructure but stressed ongoing efforts to enhance resilience. The interaction has fueled speculation about potential political shifts, especially following a recent electoral setback for the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance in the BEST Credit Society polls, though both leaders downplayed any alliance discussions.

These developments underscore the intensifying political discourse in Maharashtra ahead of future civic elections, with accusations and alliances shaping the narrative.

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