BJP Challenges Sharad Pawar's Claims on EVMs, Urges MVA Legislators to Resign

Mumbai, Dec 8 (NationPress) The BJP on Sunday criticized NCP-SP President Sharad Pawar for misleading the public concerning the EVM issue instead of acknowledging his defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

BJP state unit head Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressed disapproval of Pawar's visit to Markadwadi in Solapur district, where he questioned the authorities about the villagers' inability to conduct a "mock ballot paper poll" on December 3.

Bawankule challenged the Maha Vikas Aghadi legislators to resign if they believed the EVMs were malfunctioning.

"We respect Sharad Pawar, but it is inappropriate for him to spread falsehoods at his age. He should have accepted his defeat. Sharad Pawar is misleading the public and concealing his failure," stated Bawankule.

"He (Sharad Pawar) faced a significant loss in the Assembly polls. The public rejected him, and he is now anxious about the forthcoming local body elections. Currently, Sharad Pawar is misleading the populace. The individuals present in Markadwadi today are Sharad Pawar's supporters. Why were there no objections in Markadwadi when EVM voting occurred during the Lok Sabha elections? They should have raised concerns earlier upon observing the voting percentage. Sharad Pawar is attempting to cover up his failures by deliberately misleading Maharashtra," Bawankule alleged.

Bawankule further asserted that Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, or any other leaders from their factions "will not be helpful as the people of Maharashtra are exhausted by their theatrics."

"The populace recognizes that the Mahayuti is pro-development, which is why Maharashtra has supported it. We will operate under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis to elevate Maharashtra to the nation's top state. If the Maha Vikas Aghadi believes the EVMs are flawed, then all of their elected MPs ought to resign. The BJP has faced losses in numerous elections, yet we did not blame the EVMs for our defeat in the Lok Sabha. We proceeded to rectify the errors that were made," he emphasized.

Earlier, Chief Minister Fadnavis confronted Sharad Pawar regarding his remarks about the disparity between the votes received and the seats won by various parties in the state Assembly election.

CM Fadnavis remarked, "You are a senior leader... At the very least, you should not mislead the populace of the country. Why are there fewer seats despite receiving more votes? Let's examine what transpired in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP secured 1,49,13,914 votes and nine seats, while Congress obtained 96,41,856 votes and 13 seats. Shiv Sena achieved 73,77,674 votes and seven seats, whereas NCP(SP) gained 58,51,166 votes and eight seats.

He added, "If you accept defeat, you will move past this swiftly! It is hoped that you will at least encourage your colleagues to reflect on their actions."