Something Amiss, Can’t Be People’s Verdict”: Sanjay Raut on Maharashtra Election Results

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 23^rd November.: With the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) headed for a stunning rout in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut raised questions about the integrity of the election process, alleging foul play and calling for a return to ballot paper voting. As of 11:30 am, the ruling Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, was leading in 220 of the state’s 288 constituencies, while the MVA struggled with projections of just 56 seats.

Aaditya Thackeray, seen as a key figure in the UBT faction, was trailing Milind Deora of the rival Shinde-led Shiv Sena by 600 votes.

“There is definitely something amiss. This cannot be the people’s verdict,” Raut thundered, alleging that “money machines” influenced results across constituencies. He further questioned the unprecedented confidence displayed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who had earlier claimed he would resign if any of his MLAs lost.

Raut insisted that the results implied dishonesty in the process, declaring that “the voters of this state are not dishonest.” He reiterated his demand for elections to be re-held using ballot papers, dismissing electronic voting machines (EVMs) as unreliable.

BJP Hits Back

The BJP dismissed Raut’s accusations as baseless. National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, accusing him of “mental bankruptcy.” Poonawalla pointed out the opposition’s selective skepticism, stating, “The results in Wayanad are fine because Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is winning there. But suddenly, EVMs are faulty in Maharashtra and Haryana.”

The Mahayuti’s commanding lead—Eknath Shinde’s faction leading in 54 seats, close to its 2019 performance, and the BJP ahead in 125 constituencies—has left the MVA coalition grappling with a political reality check.

As allegations and counter-allegations dominate the post-election discourse, the ruling coalition is on track for a historic mandate, leaving opposition leaders to reflect on their strategies amidst a fractured state polity.