Taaza Wire | June 8 –The political heat in Maharashtra intensified over the weekend when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused “rigging of democracy” in the 2024 state assembly election. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis retaliated sharply, accusing Gandhi of showing disrespect to the democratic process and ignoring the people’s mandate.
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With biting words in an article that has appeared in The Indian Express and Loksatta, Fadnavis stated that instead of taking the defeat graciously, Rahul Gandhi is refusing the mandate of the people just because “they have rejected him.”
Fadnavis: “Rahul Preparing Excuses for Future Losses”
Fadnavis didn’t sugarcoat anything. He blamed Gandhi for scripting excuses in advance of defeat in future state elections such as Bihar. “Rather than soul-searching, Rahul Gandhi is making excuses. This is a sign of the Congress party’s increasing disconnect from the people,” the BJP leader added.
Gandhi, in his op-ed piece and tweet on X, referred to the Maharashtra elections as a “blueprint for rigging democracy” and accused the ruling NDA of match-fixing. His charges included inflated voter turnout, fake voters, and concealed evidence, which he described as systematic election malpractice.
The Election Commission, however, dismissed the charges as “absurd and defamatory.”
Fadnavis Counters with Data and History
To challenge Rahul Gandhi, who made an allegation of voter inflations and late turnouts in the election, Fadnavis presented historical trends based on earlier elections. “1 crore voters got added from 2004 to 2009. It was 75 lakh in 2014. So nothing unexpected occurred in 2024,” he contended.
He also busted the theory of spur-of-the-moment increase in voter turnout:
“Turnout went up 5% in the last hour in 2004. In 2024, it was 4%. That’s right on trend,” he said, wondering if Gandhi didn’t know that voters in line at 6 PM are entitled to vote under law.
The Bigger Battle: Institutions vs Allegations
Fadnavis also targeted Gandhi’s criticism of constitutional bodies like the Election Commission and judiciary, branding it a “misguided campaign” under the guise of Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“The Congress was appointing Election Commissioners directly since 1950. It is only now that PM Modi introduced a committee including the Leader of the Opposition,” he pointed out.
Examples Gandhi Didn’t Mention
Addressing the claim that NDA wins whenever turnout spikes suddenly, Fadnavis fired back with counterexamples.
“In Madha, there was an 18% spike, and Sharad Pawar’s candidate won. In Wani and Shrirampur, it was 13% and 12% respectively — both won by opposition parties. So, these allegations are selective and misleading,” he said.
A Call for Introspection
In a sharp rebuke, Fadnavis said, “People have rejected Rahul Gandhi. And in retaliation, he is rejecting the people.”
He asked Gandhi to consider why they complain about reaching him and why the Congress party continues to grapple with mass connect. “Instead of casting doubts over the very democratic processes that sent him to MP, he should consider the harm such utterances do,” said Fadnavis.
VIDEO | Mumbai: On Rahul Gandhi’s article, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, “I have read his article. The Election Commission should answer what he has asked, but the EC isn’t able to do that. Why is the BJP answering?… He hasn’t questioned (Maharashtra CM) Devendra… pic.twitter.com/dWpNfFksXC
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 8, 2025
Voter Data Doesn’t Back Gandhi’s Claims
Fadnavis debunked Rahul Gandhi’s concerns over increased voter numbers by presenting past data. Between 2004 and 2009, over 1 crore new voters were added; in 2009–2014, it was 75 lakhs; and in 2014–2019, it was 63 lakhs. “So, nothing extraordinary happened in 2024,” Fadnavis explained.
He also countered Gandhi’s allegation about last-minute voting percentage spikes. “This is a standard trend. In 2004, 5% more people voted in Assembly elections compared to Lok Sabha. In 2024, the difference was only 4%,” he noted.
Fadnavis cited examples where opposition parties won in seats with significant turnout jumps — Madha (18% increase, NCP won), Wani (13%, Shiv Sena-UBT won), and Shrirampur (12%, Congress won). “If this was rigging, how did your allies win these?” he asked.
“Trying to Clean the Mirror with a Dirty Face”
In a poetic jab, the CM quoted an Urdu couplet to describe Gandhi’s attitude — “Apne chehre par maili kalikh ho aur aaina saaf karte ho” — suggesting that instead of correcting his own flaws, Gandhi is blaming the system.
Fadnavis also reminded readers that the previous Congress-led governments appointed 25 of the 26 Chief Election Commissioners directly. It was PM Modi, he said, who established a selection panel involving the opposition.
Conclusion: Mandate Rejected or Respected?
As political narratives clash, one question stands tall — is questioning the election system a brave stance or a convenient excuse?
At present, it seems the BJP has turned the tables, bringing to the fore Congress’ own crisis of salience. With assembly elections nearing in Bihar and elsewhere, this battle of narratives could just be beginning.
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