Eknath Shinde demands apology from Rahul Gandhi over ECI allegations
Synopsis
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde went on the offensive against the INDIA bloc on 26 September, demanding a public apology from Rahul Gandhi over what he called fabricated claims about ECI infighting — claims he says the Election Commission's own unanimous joint statement has now demolished. BJP MP Ashok Chavan amplified the attack on X with a pointed fact-check post.
Key Takeaways
Eknath Shinde , Maharashtra Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief, demanded an unconditional apology from Rahul Gandhi on 26 September over allegations against the Election Commission of India .
Shinde said a unanimous joint statement by all three Election Commissioners had exposed the Opposition's narrative as false.
He accused the INDIA alliance of routinely targeting constitutional institutions — including the ECI and courts — when election results go against them.
Former Maharashtra CM and BJP MP Ashok Chavan posted a pointed rebuttal on X , contrasting Gandhi's claim with the ECI's official press note on the matter.
Shinde warned that such tactics would lead to further political isolation of the Opposition.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Saturday, 26 September launched a sharp attack on the Opposition in Mumbai, demanding an unconditional public apology from Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the broader INDIA alliance leadership for spreading what he called 'false and baseless allegations' against constitutional institutions.
The ECI Controversy at the Centre
Shinde's remarks came in the context of recent Opposition claims about internal rifts within the Election Commission of India (ECI). He argued that a unanimous joint statement issued by all three Election Commissioners had 'completely deflated the propaganda,' effectively undercutting the Opposition's narrative. He accused the alliance of attempting to celebrate false news that had ultimately backfired on them.
'Using these false claims, Rahul Gandhi and his allies attempted to defame and target Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Spreading calculated misinformation to weaken faith in democratic processes has become the habit of the Opposition,' Shinde said. He demanded that Gandhi apologise to the nation for what he characterised as smear campaigns.
Shinde's Broader Critique of the INDIA Alliance
The Shiv Sena chief alleged that the INDIA bloc consistently targets democratic institutions — including the Election Commission and the judiciary — whenever election outcomes do not favour the Opposition. He accused its leaders of stoking public mistrust, spreading rumours, and attempting to confuse voters ahead of electoral cycles.
Shinde asserted that 140 crore citizens stood firmly behind Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah, rendering such allegations ineffective. 'The aware public of the country clearly recognises these political games and will give a fitting reply at the appropriate time,' he warned, adding that continued attempts to undermine constitutional sanctity would deepen the Opposition's political isolation.
Ashok Chavan Joins the Attack on X
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ashok Chavan also weighed in, targeting Gandhi directly over his statements on the poll panel. In a post on X, Chavan wrote: 'One frustrated opposition leader, with a plethora of lies. Rahul Gandhi: 'SIR was a unilateral decision.' Meanwhile…ECI Press Note: 'unanimous approval of the Commission.' Plot twist: the receipts came from the institution itself.'
The Larger Political Context
This is not the first time the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra has jointly pushed back against the INDIA bloc's institutional critique. The row over the Election Commission's internal functioning has become a recurring flashpoint between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition at the national level. Critics argue that the ECI's credibility remains a legitimate subject of public debate, while the ruling side maintains that selective criticism of institutions amounts to undermining democracy itself. The competing narratives are expected to intensify as Maharashtra approaches its next major political cycle.
Point of View
They seek to flip the script — making the Opposition's critique look self-defeating rather than principled. Yet the underlying question of institutional transparency remains unresolved and politically potent. What is notable is the dual-track approach: Shinde holds a press event for mass media while Chavan deploys a sharp X post for the digital audience, indicating a coordinated messaging operation. The INDIA bloc's willingness to keep challenging institutional credibility, despite such rebuttals, suggests this line of attack is not going away — it is a template they appear willing to absorb short-term costs for, banking on longer-term erosion of public trust in referees.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Eknath Shinde demand an apology from Rahul Gandhi?
Shinde demanded an apology because he says Gandhi and the INDIA alliance spread false claims about internal divisions within the Election Commission of India. He argued that the Election Commission's own unanimous joint statement by all three commissioners disproved those claims.
What was the Election Commission controversy about?
The Opposition had made claims suggesting internal rifts within the ECI. The commission subsequently issued a unanimous joint statement, which the ruling Mahayuti coalition cited as proof that those allegations were fabricated.
What did Ashok Chavan post on X about Rahul Gandhi?
BJP MP and former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan posted on X contrasting Rahul Gandhi's claim that a particular decision was 'unilateral' with the ECI's official press note stating it had received 'unanimous approval of the Commission,' calling it a 'plot twist' where receipts came from the institution itself.
What is the INDIA alliance accused of by Shinde?
Shinde accused the INDIA bloc of consistently targeting democratic institutions — including the Election Commission and courts — whenever election results do not favour them, and of spreading misinformation to undermine public faith in democratic processes.
What is the political significance of this row for Maharashtra?
The row reflects a broader national pattern of the NDA and the INDIA bloc clashing over institutional credibility. In Maharashtra specifically, it signals that the Mahayuti coalition is coordinating its messaging strategy ahead of future electoral contests, using both traditional media and social platforms simultaneously.
