The political climate in Maharashtra has been jolted by sensational revelations from senior Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders Sharad Pawar and Sanjay Raut, who claim they were approached with offers to manipulate Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) ahead of the November 2024 assembly elections. The allegations have drawn sharp reactions from political circles and renewed scrutiny of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) neutrality.

Sharad Pawar Claims EVM Tampering Proposal
On June 18, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar told reporters in Nagpur that two unidentified individuals met him in Delhi prior to the state polls, offering to “manage” EVMs to secure 160 of Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats for the MVA. Pawar said he informed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi about the offer, but both leaders refused in the interest of fair elections. Pawar did not disclose the identities or affiliations of the individuals involved.

Sanjay Raut Backs Pawar’s Account
A day later, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut corroborated Pawar’s claims, adding that the same individuals approached party chief Uddhav Thackeray on June 19 with an offer to secure 60–65 seats for Shiv Sena (UBT) through EVM tampering. Raut, who was present during the meeting, said Thackeray rejected the proposal, citing the party’s democratic mandate after winning 30 Lok Sabha seats. He accused the individuals of threatening to manipulate both EVMs and voter lists to ensure the MVA’s defeat, as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance was preparing for victory.

Rahul Gandhi Raises Election Integrity Concerns
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has echoed these concerns, alleging collusion between the ECI and the BJP. He cited a sharp rise in voter numbers and missing CCTV footage as evidence of possible manipulation. The MVA’s poor performance—winning just 50 assembly seats despite a strong Lok Sabha showing of 16 Congress, 10 NCP, and 20 Shiv Sena (UBT) seats—has fueled further suspicion among opposition ranks.

BJP and ECI Reject Allegations
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the accusations as a “scripted drama” and challenged Pawar and Gandhi to prove their claims in court. The ECI also labelled the allegations “baseless” and requested a sworn affidavit from the opposition leaders to substantiate their charges.

Nationwide Debate on EVM Credibility
As the MVA gears up for statewide protests demanding transparency, the controversy has amplified nationwide debates over the credibility of EVMs and voter lists. Opposition leaders warn that such doubts, if left unresolved, could undermine public trust in India’s electoral process.

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