Maharashtra CM Dismisses Rahul Gandhi's 'Match Fixing' Claims Ahead of Elections

Fadnavis Responds to Rahul Gandhi's Allegations
Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has rejected Rahul Gandhi's assertions of 'match fixing' in the upcoming Maharashtra elections scheduled for November 2024. Fadnavis interpreted Gandhi's remarks as an admission of defeat in the forthcoming elections in Bihar. He emphasized that the Congress party would only succeed if they engaged with the electorate and understood the realities on the ground.
Gandhi had launched a fierce critique against the BJP-led NDA, alleging that they orchestrated 'match fixing' to secure a significant victory in the state. The BJP, in alliance with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), achieved a remarkable win by securing 235 out of 288 seats, marking the party's best performance in state elections with 132 seats won independently.
Gandhi's Social Media Accusations
In a social media post, Rahul Gandhi titled his article in the Indian Express, accusing the NDA of manipulating democracy. He outlined a step-by-step process of alleged electoral fraud, which included:
Further Allegations and Fadnavis's Counter
Gandhi also claimed that the BJP would employ similar tactics in the Bihar elections, suggesting that the 'match fixing' seen in Maharashtra would extend to Bihar and other regions where the BJP is struggling. In response, Fadnavis countered Gandhi's claims, stating that they indicate an acceptance of defeat in Bihar by the Congress leader. He urged Gandhi to engage with the facts and the public, warning that without doing so, the Congress party would continue to mislead itself and its supporters. Fadnavis remarked, "They need to wake up and grasp the reality; otherwise, they will keep spouting nonsense, lying, and disrespecting the voters. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor the public understands what he is saying."