Maharashtra polls: Misuse of power, money to control election mechanism seen, says Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar alleges misuse of power and money in Maharashtra elections, sparking concerns about democracy's integrity.

The Nationalist Congress Party [NCP(SP)] chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday (November 30, 2024) claimed that the misuse of power and money to control the entire election mechanism, which was never before seen in any State Assembly or national polls, was witnessed in Maharashtra.

Mr. Pawar made the statement when he visited senior activist Dr. Baba Adhav, who is protesting against the alleged "misuse of EVMs" in the recent State polls in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra assembly to have 78 first-time MLAs

Mr. Adhav, who is in his 90s, began his three-day protest at Phule Wada, the residence of social reformer Jyotiba Phule, in the city on Thursday (November 28, 2024).

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies, the Congress, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP(SP), have been alleging manipulation of EVMs in the recently held Maharashtra Assembly elections, which saw a landslide victory by the Mahayuti.

The Mahayuti, comprising the Shiv Sena, the BJP and the NCP, won 230 out of 288 Assembly seats in the November 20 polls, while the MVA managed just 46 seats.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Pawar said while there is some truth to claims by some leaders about votes being added to EVMs, he did not have proof to corroborate them.