Rahul Gandhi Does Not Want To Let Go: “Match-Fixing Maharashtra”
In a scathing critique published in *The Indian Express*, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has alleged large-scale electoral manipulation during the November 2024 Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections. Gandhi contends that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) orchestrated a “match-fixing” operation, compromising democratic institutions to secure an overwhelming victory.
Gandhi outlines a five-step strategy purportedly employed to rig the elections. The first step involved altering the selection process for Election Commissioners through the 2023 Election Commissioners Appointment Act. This legislation, he argues, allowed the Prime Minister and Home Minister to dominate the appointment panel, sidelining the Chief Justice and undermining the neutrality of the Election Commission.
The second step, according to Gandhi, was the inflation of the voter register with fictitious entries. He cites Election Commission data indicating that Maharashtra’s registered voters increased from 8.98 crore in 2019 to 9.29 crore by May 2024. However, in a mere five months leading up to the November elections, the number surged to 9.70 crore—surpassing the state’s adult population of 9.54 crore as per government estimates.
The third alleged tactic was the artificial inflation of voter turnout figures. Gandhi notes that while the 5 pm turnout on election day was reported at 58.22%, it inexplicably rose to 66.05% by the next morning—a jump of 7.83 percentage points, equating to approximately 76 lakh additional votes. He questions the plausibility of such an increase without reports of extended voting hours or significant queues.
The fourth step involved targeted bogus voting in specific constituencies. Gandhi points out that out of approximately 1 lakh polling booths in Maharashtra, about 12,000—primarily in 85 constituencies where the BJP had previously underperformed—saw an average addition of over 600 votes per booth after 5 pm. He highlights the Kamthi constituency as a case study, where the BJP’s vote count increased by 56,000 between the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, coinciding with the addition of 35,000 new voters.
The final step, as per Gandhi, was the concealment of evidence. He criticises the Election Commission for dismissing opposition requests for voter rolls with photographs and for restricting access to CCTV footage and electronic records through amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules. Gandhi argues that such actions hinder transparency and accountability.
The BJP, in response, has denied these allegations, asserting the integrity of the electoral process. The Election Commission has also refuted claims of irregularities, emphasising adherence to established protocols.
Gandhi warns that the alleged “match-fixing” in Maharashtra could serve as a blueprint for future elections, including the upcoming Bihar polls. He urges vigilance and calls for institutional reforms to safeguard India’s democratic processes.
