Sanjay Raut Questions Integrity of India's Democratic Process

Sanjay Raut, a leader from the Shiv Sena (UBT), raised serious concerns on Saturday regarding the integrity of India's democratic processes, alleging that elections are being systematically manipulated through coercion and fraud.

While addressing journalists, Raut challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claims about India's democracy on the global stage. He urged the United Nations to send observers to the country to witness the electoral process firsthand. Raut stated, "Our Prime Minister Modi speaks about India's democracy worldwide. I invite representatives from the United Nations to come to our country and see how elections are conducted here, including the manipulation, coercion, and even hacking involved. Let the world see how false these claims are. No elections are being conducted fairly, whether in Bihar or Maharashtra; none are free and fair."

Raut accused the Modi government and Amit Shah of undermining the electoral process since they took power in Delhi, asserting that no elections have been conducted fairly at any level, from village councils to the Lok Sabha. He remarked, "Since Modi and Shah came to power, not a single election has been fair, whether it’s for village councils, municipal elections, or Lok Sabha. Previously, there were instances of booth capturing; now, new methods are being employed, including money, power, and manipulation of voter lists. The Election Commission is no longer an impartial body, and I would even say that undeclared President's Rule is in effect in West Bengal; I would call it an undeclared emergency."

Raut further claimed that if the BJP were to govern West Bengal, it would lead to bloodshed, as they are determined to win the state by any means necessary, not through democratic methods. He stated, "The kind of politics the BJP is playing across the country, they want to play an even worse game in Bengal. So far, Didi (Mamata Banerjee) and her party have thwarted the BJP's tactics, and they will continue to do so in the future."

He added, "In West Bengal, within 24 hours, the Chief Secretary, Additional Director General, Deputy Inspector General of Police, District Magistrate, and over a hundred officials are transferred, and individuals are brought in who, despite wearing uniforms, behave like BJP workers. What is this? Is this democracy? Are these elections? It resembles gang warfare. Just as there was a gang led by Dawood Ibrahim in Mumbai, the BJP is deploying a gang against Didi in West Bengal. However, Didi will not lose; the people are with her."