Fadnavis Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Poll Rigging’ Claim: ‘Rejected by People, Now Rejecting Mandate’
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday launched a sharp counter-attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his allegations of poll rigging in the recent state Assembly elections. Fadnavis accused the Leader of the Opposition of consistently disrespecting the democratic process after being “rejected by the people.”
The war of words erupted after Rahul Gandhi, in a newspaper article on Saturday, claimed that the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections were a “blueprint for rigging democracy” and alleged this “match-fixing” would be replicated in the upcoming Bihar polls.
Responding forcefully on Sunday, Fadnavis condemned Gandhi’s remarks as an insult to the people of Maharashtra. “Rahul Gandhi consistently insults the democratic process. He repeatedly disrespects the public mandate. People have rejected Rahul Gandhi, and in retaliation, he is rejecting the people. This will only push the Congress party further into decline,” the Chief Minister stated.
Fadnavis questioned the Congress leader’s motives for casting doubt on constitutional institutions. “By constantly casting doubts on the democratic process and constitutional institutions, where is this leading the country? What kind of poison is being spread?” he asked.
The Election Commission had swiftly rejected Gandhi’s allegations on Saturday, calling the claims “absolutely absurd” and decrying the trend of defaming the poll panel after an unfavourable verdict.
In the October 2024 Assembly polls, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance registered a massive victory, winning 235 out of the 288 seats. In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance put up a poor showing, with Congress winning 16 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 20, and NCP (SP) 10. For the first time in six decades, none of the opposition parties secured enough seats to individually claim the post of Leader of the Opposition.
Fadnavis asserted that Gandhi’s allegations stem from the scale of the defeat. “I understand how deeply the defeat in Maharashtra must have hurt. But if you continue to insult the will of the farmers, women, citizens, and the people of Maharashtra like this, then the people of the state will never forgive you,” he said.
“As the Chief Minister and a servant of the people, I will always condemn such an insult to the people of Maharashtra,” Fadnavis added, alleging that Gandhi was already creating excuses for anticipated future defeats in other state elections, including Bihar.
