“The Election Commission's duty is to conduct free and fair elections, but the current approach of the commission raises questions about its credibility. The BJP and the Election Commission have undermined democracy by manipulating votes during the Assembly elections,” said Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole.
He said that in order to protect democracy, and safeguard voter rights, the Congress party will organize a statewide agitation on January 25, National Voter’s Day, at district and taluka levels to raise awareness. Key state leaders will also participate in the agitation, he said.
Speaking at a press conference at Tilak Bhavan, Nana Patole alleged massive irregularities during the Assembly elections. “How did 50 lakh voters increase in six months after the Lok Sabha elections? and how did 76 lakh votes increase after 5 PM on election day?,” he asked.
The Congress leader said the party had asked the Election Commission for evidence, but the data has not been provided. Furthermore, the BJP-led central government has passed a law preventing the commission from sharing such information. This law, according to Patole, is an attempt to hide the electoral fraud orchestrated by the BJP and the Election Commission.
Patole sought to know who had ordered the Badlapur fake encounter. Congress had earlier said that Akshay Shinde, arrested for sexual assault on schoolgirls in Badlapur, was killed in a fake encounter. The High Court has now confirmed this and ordered action against the involved police officers. “While action against the officers is necessary, those who ordered this encounter from the ministry and police headquarters must also be held accountable,” demanded Patole .
“Similarly, in Parbhani, Somnath Suryawanshi died due to police assault during a combing operation. He was taken into custody and beaten, leading to his death. However, CM Fadnavis falsely stated in the Assembly that Suryawanshi died due to asthma. A privilege motion will be introduced against this misinformation, and an inquiry into the combing operation and responsible officials is necessary,” said Patole.
On the issue of murder of Santosh Deshmukh in Beed, Patole said that Mafia rule in Beed is supported by those in power. Deshmukh, a sarpanch in Beed, was brutally murdered, reflecting the rising crime, extortion, kidnapping, and corruption in the district.
Patole claimed that the mafia activities in Beed are flourishing under the patronage of a minister in power. “Even a ruling party MLA has openly revealed information about Beed’s mafia rule. However, the government’s efforts appear to be a façade, aimed only at retaining power”.
Speaking about controversy about appointment of guardian ministers, the Congress state president said that the disputes over the chief ministerial position, cabinet expansion, and portfolio allocation were followed by a guardian minister row. “Even while on a foreign tour, the chief minister had to put the appointments of Nashik and Raigad guardian ministers on hold. The creation of co-guardian minister positions seems to serve personal interests rather than public welfare,” he alleged.
Patole alleged that a crop insurance scam worth Rs 350 crores has been uncovered in Beed, where insurance was claimed for barren lands. While insurance companies and government officers benefited, farmers did not receive compensation. Patole described the scam as looting farmers’ money in the name of crop insurance, a blatant betrayal of their rights.