Opposition Accuses Ruling Coalition of Voter List Manipulation Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections

Mumbai: The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Friday accused the ruling coalition of misusing government machinery to remove legitimate voters from the electoral rolls ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024. Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole, speaking at an MVA press conference, claimed, "The BJP is making changes to the voter list and removing names of voters from the electoral rolls, despite the Election Commission's assurance of free and fair elections in Maharashtra."

Notably, the Maha Vikas Aghadi consists of the Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT (Uddhav Thackeray's faction), and NCP-SP (Sharad Pawar's faction). They are in opposition to the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction). Patole further alleged that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are involved in these actions, stating, "The BJP is aware they are losing the elections in Maharashtra and that is why they have resorted to such tactics. The state will not forgive them for it."

He explained that Form Number 7 is being used to get names deleted from the existing electoral rolls by raising objections. Shiv Sena UBT leader Anil Desai also addressed the press conference, urging voters to exercise their franchise in a fair manner. Desai mentioned that an MVA delegation planned to meet the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra later that day to demand the discontinuation of the process for deleting names via online applications.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut announced his intention to discuss seat-sharing arrangements with Rahul Gandhi for the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, noting that decisions on many seats remain pending. He expressed frustration over the indecisiveness of Maharashtra's leaders, stating, "Now that time has passed. We want this decision to be taken as soon as possible."

Raut added that most leaders from the NCP, Congress, and Shiv Sena are in agreement, but some seats are still contested. He emphasized the coalition's commitment to opposing the BJP, despite facing challenges. Additionally, Raut criticized the Election Commission, alleging bias against the MVA and favoring the ruling coalition. "The Election Commission has given some important decisions, and we feel that those decisions are against the interests of the Maha Vikas Aghadi," he said.

The Assembly elections in Maharashtra are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting set for November 23. In the previous 2019 Maharashtra Assembly polls, the MVA coalition won 154 out of 288 seats. This time, the Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar's NCP, and Congress are collaborating to counter the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the MVA secured 30 of the state's 48 seats, while the ruling alliance won 17, with one seat going to an independent candidate.

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