In a stunning revelation, Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar disclosed that two unidentified individuals met him in New Delhi before the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, claiming they could "guarantee" a victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in 160 of the 288 constituencies. Speaking at a media briefing in Nagpur, Pawar said he introduced the duo to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, but the offer was dismissed as the opposition chose to focus on direct public engagement.

Pawar’s statement comes amid a heated controversy over MVA’s allegations of electoral irregularities, including claims of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) discrepancies and data manipulation, following their significant defeat in the 2024 assembly polls. The MVA, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), had earlier secured 30 of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, raising expectations of a strong performance. However, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance dominated the assembly elections, with the BJP securing 132 seats, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) 57, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP 41. The MVA, in contrast, was reduced to just 46 seats, with NCP (SP) winning only 10.

“I met these two individuals, but I didn’t take their claims seriously and don’t have their names or contact details,” Pawar stated, adding that Rahul Gandhi also advised against pursuing such offers. The disclosure fuels ongoing debates, with Rahul Gandhi recently alleging a “huge criminal fraud” involving the BJP and the Election Commission, citing data from a Karnataka constituency. Posts on X have echoed similar sentiments, with some users questioning the integrity of EVMs and voter data in Maharashtra’s polls.

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The MVA’s poor showing has been attributed to factors like the Mahayuti’s popular schemes, such as the Ladki Bahin initiative, increased women’s voter turnout, and alleged religious polarization, according to Pawar. As the opposition grapples with its defeat, Pawar’s revelation raises questions about the mysterious offer and its implications for Maharashtra’s fiercely contested political landscape.

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