Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut Alleges Manipulation In Maharashtra Election Results

As the counting for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections continued on Saturday, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut expressed strong concerns over the emerging trends.

He alleged manipulation in the process and claimed that the results, which showed the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance surging ahead, could not be a reflection of the will of the people of Maharashtra.

Allegations Of Vote Manipulation

Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Raut voiced his displeasure over the early trends, particularly the high number of seats leading for the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

He alleged that there had been some form of ‘gadbad’ (manipulation) to steal seats from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

Raut stated, “They have done some ‘gadbad’, they have stolen some of our seats. This cannot be the public’s decision. Even the public does not agree with these results. Once the results are out, we will talk more. In every election seat, money-counting machines were installed. Is it possible that Shinde will get 60 seats, Ajit Pawar will get 40 seats and BJP will get 125 seats? The people of this state are not dishonest. We have their faith in the people of Maharashtra.”

“Such a result has been imposed. This cannot be the decision of the people of Maharashtra. We know what the people of Maharashtra want in their hearts. This cannot happen. I would like to only say that this is not the decision of people,” he added.

Targeting NCP & Ajit Pawar

Raut also took aim at NCP leader Ajit Pawar, questioning how his party could be leading in more than 40 seats.

Raut asked, “What did they do that they are getting more than 120 seats?”

Congress Leader Udit Raj Blames EVMs

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former MP Udit Raj echoed Raut’s sentiments. He attributed the trends to alleged issues with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Raj stated, “As long as there are EVMs, elections cannot be fair. The election trends of Maharashtra clearly indicate that this is the victory of EVM.”

Early Trends From The Election Commission

As of 11 AM, the Election Commission of India showed the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance leading with 220 seats, having crossed the halfway mark.

The opposition MVA alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP), was trailing with 52 seats.

In the current trends, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena was leading in 55 seats, the NCP in 35, and the BJP in 128 seats.

The Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party (RYSWP), a partner in the Mahayuti, was leading in one seat.

On the MVA side, the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) was leading in 13 seats, Congress in 20 seats, and UBT Shiv Sena in 17 seats.

The Samajwadi Party, a supporting ally of the MVA, was leading in two seats.

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