Did Uddhav Thackeray Endorse Rahul Gandhi's Allegations About Maharashtra Elections?

Mumbai, June 10 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched a direct attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in light of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's accusations of 'match-fixing' in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, claiming that a fierce 'demon has invaded the ruling party'.

The Thackeray faction asserted that Rahul Gandhi has unveiled the corrupt alliance between the BJP and the Election Commission of India. The 'makeup' of figures such as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been tarnished as a result of these revelations. Before pointing fingers at others, they should reflect on their own appearances in the mirror. Now, the makeup is entirely gone.

In a pointed editorial published in the party's official publication, 'Saamana', the Thackeray faction noted that Rahul Gandhi holds the significant constitutional position of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. "During the tenure of Modi and Shah, Congress was barred from attaining the Leader of Opposition post, but this time, the public empowered Rahul Gandhi, enabling him to assume this role. Thus, the Election Commission should not dismiss his allegations as mere grievances and must take 'suo motu' action, yet will Modi and Shah permit it? That remains a critical question."

"Rahul Gandhi articulated his perspectives on the Maharashtra Assembly elections through legitimate democratic channels. He contributed articles to various national newspapers, detailing how the Election Commission compromised the integrity of the Maharashtra elections. Maharashtra triumphed over Modi and his associates in the Lok Sabha elections. The aspiration of 'Ab ki baar char sau par' was dashed due to Maharashtra's robust determination. Following that, the Assembly elections occurred within six months. However, in this election, Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena collectively secured less than 50 seats. How can such a dramatic shift transpire in merely six months post-Lok Sabha elections? Does anyone grasp this? Rahul Gandhi disclosed in his article the mechanisms of this match-fixing in the Maharashtra elections, facilitated by the Election Commission, and highlighted its detrimental effects on democracy as well as the potential for similar tactics in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections after Maharashtra,” the editorial stated.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) asserted in the editorial that the Modi administration employed numerous tactics to manipulate the Maharashtra Assembly elections, including installing a compliant panel within the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi raised significant concerns regarding scams in the voter list, the surge of voters by 60-70 lakh, and voting occurring past 5 p.m.

"Rahul Gandhi's demands are straightforward. One request is for the publication of a comprehensive digital machine-readable voter list for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections across all states, including Maharashtra, and the other is to release all CCTV footage from polling stations in Maharashtra post 5 p.m. Instead of addressing Rahul Gandhi's inquiries directly, the Election Commission has appointed BJP members as legal representatives. Following Rahul Gandhi's article, Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis attempted to counter him through his own written piece. It is alarming for a political party to advocate for the Election Commission. Fadnavis even resorted to Urdu poetry for this. Given the results of the Maharashtra elections were akin to a heist, Fadnavis, who benefitted most from this, became obsessed and began speaking in Urdu," the Thackeray faction elaborated.

"You kept making this mistake while there was dust on your face, and you continued to wipe your eyes," Fadnavis commented regarding Rahul Gandhi. The arrows of Rahul Gandhi have struck the hearts of Fadnavis and others. The Election Commission has betrayed the Constitution. To seize power in Maharashtra, Amit Shah fragmented the two regional parties, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress, without regard for the 10th schedule of the Anti-Defection Act. All of this is unconstitutional," the editorial claimed.

"Transferring the original party Shiv Sena to the 'unknown' newcomer Eknath Shinde along with the bow and arrow symbol, and similarly placing the Nationalist Congress Party under Ajit Pawar during Sharad Pawar's lifetime, was part of a conspiracy to pilfer the Assembly elections in Maharashtra. The Election Commission was complicit in this organized crime. Now, the Election Commission is urging Rahul Gandhi to submit a formal complaint regarding his concerns. This is a cowardly attempt to cleanse its reputation. Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party appear to be scrubbing the dirt off the Election Commission's face. Numerous complaints and objections were filed with the Election Commission following the results of the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections. The Election Commission, which is sluggish in responding to these complaints, feigns leniency regarding Rahul Gandhi's allegations, suggesting, 'Rahul should submit his allegations in writing. Then we will see,'” the editorial concluded.