Fadnavis fires back at Rahul Gandhi’s poll claim: ‘Maharashtra will never forgive you’

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi’s recent claims about the state’s electoral process. On Monday, Fadnavis took to social media, slamming the Congress leader’s assertion that around 70 lakh voters were added to Maharashtra’s electoral rolls between the Lok Sabha and state elections.

Fadnavis called Gandhi’s allegations disrespectful, accusing him of insulting the people of Maharashtra and its iconic leaders. He referred to the land of Maharashtra as the birthplace of revered figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule, and Veer Savarkar, and demanded that Gandhi apologize.

“Introspect instead of insulting Maharashtra! You have questioned the democratic mandate given by the people of Maharashtra to the NDA just because your party was vanquished,” Fadnavis wrote on the social platform X.

The chief minister’s strong remarks followed Gandhi’s speech during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. Gandhi had raised doubts over the fairness of the Maharashtra assembly elections held last November, in which the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory. Gandhi claimed that an unusually large number of voters, equivalent to the entire population of Himachal Pradesh, had been added to Maharashtra’s rolls between the Lok Sabha and state elections.

“I am not making an allegation,” Gandhi stated in his speech, “but there is something problematic when the population equivalent to Himachal Pradesh’s is added in Maharashtra after the Lok Sabha elections.” He questioned the integrity of the electoral process and suggested that this addition was done “through magic.”

Gandhi also disclosed that the Congress party had repeatedly requested the Election Commission to release both the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha voter lists for comparison. “Please give us names and addresses of voters from all booths in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections,” Gandhi said. “We want to calculate who these voters are.”

Fadnavis immediately responded, rejecting Gandhi’s insinuations. The Maharashtra chief minister emphasized that the people of the state would not forgive such baseless accusations. “Instead of introspection, you are indulging in slander,” Fadnavis remarked. He added, “The people of Maharashtra won’t forgive you for this. Apologize, Mr. Rahul Gandhi!”

The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the BJP and Congress, particularly following the latter’s defeat in the Maharashtra elections. Gandhi’s comments raise concerns about election transparency, but Fadnavis argues that such allegations undermine the people’s democratic choice.

This verbal clash over Maharashtra’s election process reflects the deepening political divide as both parties continue to battle for credibility. As the debate continues, Fadnavis remains resolute, urging Gandhi to take responsibility for his statements and apologize to the people of Maharashtra.