Mumbai: Backing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the vote theft issue, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar questioned the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) stand. While flagging off the Mandal Yatra in Nagpur, Pawar said the EC should probe Rahul’s allegations in detail to remove doubts about the electoral process.
Two Men Claimed to Guarantee MVA Win by Manipulating Voter Lists
Pawar revealed that two persons met him in New Delhi before the state assembly elections, claiming they could guarantee the MVA’s win on at least 160 seats out of 288 through voter list manipulation. “I directed them to Rahul Gandhi”, Pawar told the media.
Pawar said Rahul did not pay much heed to that, and it was decided among us to go to people directly, instead of getting involved in such things. Pawar also said he did have their names, as not much importance was given to the offer.
Speaking on the revelations made by Rahul about the voters’ list and the voting patterns, Pawar expressed surprise over the EC asking Rahul to file an affidavit and provide information under oath.
The presentation by Rahul was well researched and well-documented, Pawar said, adding that a detailed inquiry was needed to clear the doubts raised through it. “It will clear doubts about the electoral process and bring out the truth, said the former union minister”.
“The EC is an autonomous body, and it should not ask for an affidavit and declaration by Rahul,” Pawar said.
Pawar’s reference was concerning the demands by the Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) of Maharashtra and Karnataka for an affidavit by Rahul on his claims of bogus voters and vote theft to ensure wins for the BJP.
“The EC can clearly say no if there was no truth in what we are saying,” Pawar said.
CM Fadnavis Questions Pawar’s Timing and Dismisses Allegations as Scripted
Reacting to CM Devendra Fadnavis’ comments that Rahul's allegations were scripted, Pawar questioned why the BJP or CM needed to comment when the objections were directed at the EC.
Opposition to March to Election Commission Headquarters on Monday
The Opposition has decided to march to the ECI headquarters on Monday to pursue the issue.
Questioning Pawar's claim, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked why the NCP (SP) leader spoke up only now about two men meeting him and offering to ensure the Opposition's victory in the last year's state elections.
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“Earlier Pawar never endorsed Gandhi's claims about (manipulation of) EVMs. No matter what, free and fair polls are held in India. Gandhi tells stories that sound like a Salim-Javed script, and what Pawar has said seems to be the same script,” Fadnavis told reporters.
