Shiv Sena(UBT) Questions Election Commission's Integrity Amid Vote Theft Allegations
Concerns Raised Over Election Commission's Operations
Mumbai: On Monday, the Shiv Sena(UBT) expressed serious concerns regarding the Election Commission of India (ECI) in light of allegations made by Rahul Gandhi about vote theft and electoral fraud, calling for a comprehensive investigation.
In its publication 'Saamana', the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray accused the ECI of operating under the influence of the BJP. The editorial stated, "The BJP has ascended to power both at the national level and in Maharashtra through electoral deception and manipulation of voters."
The piece also questioned the ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process being conducted in Bihar ahead of the forthcoming state Assembly elections. It noted, "Rahul Gandhi has unveiled the ECI's falsehoods by presenting evidence of vote theft during a press conference. The ECI should investigate these allegations thoroughly instead of demanding an affidavit from him."
The editorial criticized the BJP for disregarding the ECI's constitutional role, suggesting that the commission has become a tool for misleading the public. It warned that if citizens express their dissatisfaction through protests, it could lead to serious repercussions for the ECI. "The public may demonstrate against the ECI at India Gate, and we hope it does not come to that. The Election Commission has turned into a spectacle funded by the BJP. Given the current Chief Election Commissioner's previous associations with Amit Shah, it is evident that he is merely catering to the BJP's interests," it stated.
Saamana further supported Rahul Gandhi, asserting that he has provided substantial evidence showing that the ECI and the BJP colluded to manipulate votes. The editorial claimed, "Gandhi has boldly outlined how this vote theft was orchestrated, revealing the tricks employed and the ECI's involvement. This has exposed the facade of Indian democracy and the electoral system. Any responsible Election Commissioner would have resigned over ethical concerns and apologized to the Indian populace."
The editorial continued, "The BJP's rise to power and Narendra Modi's potential re-election are attributed to significant vote rigging in at least 50 Lok Sabha constituencies. In 25 of these, anti-BJP candidates were leading until the final rounds, where counting was halted, leading to manipulations that declared BJP candidates as winners. It is evident that votes were stolen in 50-55 constituencies, as exposed by Rahul Gandhi. These allegations warrant investigation, yet the ECI is dismissing them and instead asking Gandhi for an affidavit, which is an unreasonable response from the commission."
The Thackeray camp reiterated its support for Rahul Gandhi, emphasizing his position as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and his constitutional oath. They criticized the ECI for demanding an affidavit instead of conducting an impartial inquiry into his claims, suggesting that this behavior legitimizes the BJP's alleged vote theft. They lamented the deterioration of constitutional institutions in the country.
The editorial concluded by questioning the ECI's actions regarding the destruction of electronic data related to the alleged scam in over 25 constituencies won by the BJP by narrow margins. It highlighted similar issues during the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where numerous fraudulent votes were cast. The editorial accused the BJP of manipulating the electoral process and undermining democracy.
Rahul Gandhi's evidence of vote theft has resonated with millions of voters, leading them to feel deceived by the BJP's electoral victories. The editorial noted that the lack of celebration following the BJP's wins in the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly reflects public disbelief in the legitimacy of these victories, despite the BJP's claims of success through various welfare schemes.