Rahul Gandhi Raises Concerns Over Maharashtra Polls Amid Alleged Addition of 70 Lakh Voters
New Delhi,03-02-2025: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday questioned the integrity of the Maharashtra state elections, alleging that an unusual surge of 70 lakh new voters—roughly the size of Himachal Pradesh’s population—was added to the electoral rolls in the state between the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2020 Assembly elections. Gandhi called for the Election Commission to provide detailed data on the voter lists to opposition parties in Maharashtra to address these concerns.
Speaking during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in Parliament, Gandhi raised serious doubts about the transparency of the state elections held in November last year, in which the BJP-led Mahayuti secured a sweeping mandate. He expressed his belief that the Election Commission would not fulfill the opposition’s request for this critical data, which he described as essential for ensuring fair and free elections.
Holding a copy of the Constitution, Gandhi asserted that the integrity of the electoral process was paramount, stating, “This is supported by the ‘vote of our people,’ and without a secure vote, the Constitution means nothing.” He continued by presenting what he described as alarming data from the Maharashtra elections, noting that between the Lok Sabha polls in June and the Assembly elections in November, a voter base equivalent to the population of Himachal Pradesh was added to the state’s rolls.
Gandhi emphasized the stark contrast in voter registration between the two electoral events. He claimed that more voters were added in Maharashtra over the five months between the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls than in the previous five years combined. “I am not making an allegation; I am just saying that the population equivalent to Himachal was added magically after the Lok Sabha polls,” he remarked.
The Congress leader also cited specific instances of this surge, including an example from Shirdi, where approximately 7,000 new voters were allegedly registered after the Lok Sabha elections. While reiterating that he was not accusing anyone directly, Gandhi underscored that the opposition had made repeated requests to the Election Commission for voter lists from both the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. His demand was clear: to compare the names and addresses of voters at various booths to determine where and who the new voters were.
Additionally, Gandhi pointed out that the majority of new voters appeared to have been added in constituencies where the BJP secured victories. “We are not making an allegation; we are asking for the data. We need the names and addresses to know exactly where these new voters have been added and who has been removed,” he stated.
The Congress leader also took the opportunity to raise concerns about the recent changes in the process of appointing the Election Commissioner. Gandhi noted that, traditionally, the Election Commissioner was selected by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice. However, with the removal of the Chief Justice from the panel, Gandhi questioned the rationale behind this shift, describing it as part of a broader attempt to alter the balance of power. He further highlighted that the Election Commissioner was replaced just before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, with two new commissioners appointed.
“In a few days, I will attend a meeting with Mr. Amit Shah and Mr. Modi, and I feel like the meeting will be uneven, with a 2:1 ratio in their favour. What’s the point of my presence? Am I just there to rubber-stamp their decisions?” Gandhi questioned. He argued that the absence of the Chief Justice in the appointment panel would have led to a more balanced and democratic selection process for the Election Commissioner.
In response to the alleged electoral discrepancies in Maharashtra, the Congress party announced the formation of an eight-member committee called the Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts (EAGLE). This group will focus on investigating the alleged manipulation of the voters’ list in Maharashtra and present a detailed report to the leadership.
Gandhi’s address came a day after Congress set up this committee to monitor the conduct of free and fair elections, stressing the need for greater transparency in the election process. He reiterated his concerns about the overall electoral system, asserting that “something wrong” had occurred in the Maharashtra elections and calling for the Election Commission to provide transparency by disclosing voter lists for both Maharashtra and Haryana.
The opposition, led by the Congress, has vowed to continue pressing for answers regarding the sudden increase in Maharashtra’s voter base, as they seek to restore trust in the electoral system and ensure that future elections are conducted fairly and transparently.
