Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP of Election Manipulation in Maharashtra

Allegations of Election Rigging

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 2024, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a "match-fixing" campaign to secure victory. The BJP, in alliance with the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Ajit Pawar, won 235 out of 288 assembly seats, with the BJP alone claiming 132 seats, marking its best performance in the state's history. In an article for a prominent publication, Gandhi asserted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has employed a five-step model to undermine democratic processes in the state.

Details of the Allegations

In his article titled 'Match Fixing Maharashtra', published in a leading newspaper, Rahul Gandhi detailed the alleged electoral fraud step-by-step, labeling it as a guide on "how to steal an election." He expressed on social media that the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024 represent a blueprint for electoral manipulation. Furthermore, he claimed that the BJP is attempting to rig the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections later this year, stating, "Because the match-fixing in Maharashtra will now shift to Bihar and wherever the BJP is losing."

Five-Step Process of Manipulation

Gandhi alleged that the BJP has adopted a comprehensive five-step strategy to derail the Maharashtra Assembly elections and their outcomes. He pointed out that the Modi government introduced a revised act for the appointment of election commissioners in 2023, which he believes favors the central government significantly. In his article, he criticized the manipulation of the panel for appointing election officials, arguing that the new law heavily favors the central government. According to the amended law, the selection committee comprises the Prime Minister, a central cabinet minister, and the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha. This committee then recommends names for the Chief Election Commissioner and/or election commissioners to the President.

Concerns Over Neutrality

Expressing concern over the inclusion of a cabinet minister instead of the Chief Justice of India in the selection committee, Gandhi questioned, "Ask yourself, why would someone go out of their way to remove a neutral mediator from a crucial institution?"

BJP's Response

In response to Gandhi's claims, BJP legislator Ram Kadam accused him of misleading the public, stating, "If he truly has evidence, what is stopping him from going to court? Misleading people and making such childish statements is a form of disrespect to the Constitution." He compared Gandhi's remarks to a schoolchild who blames external factors for failing an exam, noting that when the Congress wins, they have no issues with the EVMs or the election commission, but when they lose in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, they raise objections.