Sanjay Raut, a senior leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has raised serious allegations against the BJP, accusing them of tampering with voters' lists in Maharashtra. He claimed that the BJP is manipulating the voter list with the help of the Election Commission to replace genuine voters of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with bogus voters.
Raut also mentioned that the opposition would take this issue to international platforms to expose what he believes is political malpractice happening in the country. These allegations have intensified the already heated political environment as Maharashtra heads towards its assembly elections.
Raut’s statement comes at a time when election preparations are in full swing, with both the ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, and the opposition MVA ramping up their efforts to secure victory in the upcoming polls.
The polls are scheduled for November 20, with the results to be declared on November 23. Raut has claimed that BJP is targeting around 150 assembly seats, trying to sway the electoral outcome in their favour.
According to him, the BJP is attempting to erase the names of those who have voted for MVA and replace them with fictitious entries. He emphasised that the opposition would not remain silent on this matter and would ensure it reaches the global community.
Adding fuel to the fire, Raut further alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is attempting to impose President’s rule in Maharashtra even after the elections. He stated that Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has called a special meeting to address this issue and make an important decision.
Raut’s claims reflect the growing tensions between the two political sides, with each preparing to contest fiercely in the upcoming elections.
The issue of discrepancies in voters’ lists is not limited to Maharashtra, according to Raut. He has also alleged similar issues in Jharkhand and Haryana, claiming that such tactics were used in past elections but were thwarted by the opposition. This further highlights the deepening concerns about fair and transparent elections in the state and across other regions in India.
On the other side, the BJP leadership has been moving forward with its election strategies. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently shared that seat-sharing discussions among the Mahayuti alliance are in their final stages.
Fadnavis expressed optimism, stating that positive discussions have resolved most of the problematic seats, and the remaining seats will be finalised within a couple of days.
The BJP’s internal processes, including approvals from the Election Committee and Parliamentary Board, have nearly concluded, and the party’s first list of candidates can be expected soon.
Similarly, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi is working on finalising its seat-sharing arrangements. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who is overseeing the Maharashtra elections for his party, confirmed that continuous meetings are being held to resolve the seat-sharing discussions. According to Chennithala, an announcement on seat distribution among the MVA constituents is expected soon.
With just a month left for the Maharashtra assembly elections, both alliances—the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi—are stepping up their efforts, not just in electoral preparations but also in political rhetoric.
The allegations made by Sanjay Raut have certainly heightened the political tension, and it is clear that both sides are gearing up for what promises to be a closely fought election battle.
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