‘EVMs Stole Our Seats, Elections Can’t Be Fair’: Congress Cries Foul Over Maharashtra Defeat

As the Mahayuti celebrates its historic victory in Maharashtra, the MVA rolled out a series of allegations and justifications for their dismal performance, resorting to a familiar script of blaming external factors for electoral defeats.

MVA leaders accused the Election Commission (EC) of delaying poll dates to give the BJP an edge.

Photo Credit: PTI

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate pointed to the timing of the election announcements, claiming the delay allowed the Mahayuti to roll out schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana to sway voters.

"Maharashtra results have been disappointing. We want to discuss more about EVMs and the way Maharashtra elections were postponed," Shrinate said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged a "big conspiracy" behind the BJP's victory, accusing billionaire Gautam Adani of being instrumental in the Mahayuti's success.

"Mahayuti won with Adani's help. He is 'ladla bhai' of BJP. This is not the people's will. We are well aware of what the people of Maharashtra truly want," Raut claimed, adding that the results do not reflect the people's mandate.

Concerns over the integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs) were also raised. "They have done some 'gadbad' (mess), they have stolen some of our seats," Raut alleged. Congress leader Udit Raj echoed these suspicions, tweeting, "As long as there are EVMs, elections cannot be fair. The election trends of Maharashtra clearly indicate that this is the victory of EVM."

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called for greater transparency. "People used to tell us that we are with you, but keep an eye on EVMs. A question mark definitely arises on the elections," she said.

This is not the first time the Congress and its allies have cried foul after a defeat. Similar allegations were made after their losses in Gujarat and Karnataka in the past, where EVM tampering and corporate backing of the BJP were alleged without substantial evidence. The pattern of questioning the Election Commission and EVMs has become a hallmark of opposition reactions to electoral setbacks.

While these claims resonate among their core supporters, critics argue that such accusations distract from introspection and dilute the credibility of India's electoral process.