Maharashtra Congress Questions ECI's Credibility

Mumbai - The Congress party in Maharashtra is alleging irregularities in the recent Assembly elections, with senior leader Ashok A. Jagtap comparing the Election Commission of India (ECI) to a "dog" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jagtap, who serves as the MLC and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, made the statement on Friday, expressing disbelief at the election outcome. He claimed that the ruling MahaYuti alliance's victory was solely due to EVMs being tampered with and "hacked" in certain places. He further alleged that the ECI, likened to a "canine sitting outside the PM’s residence," was being misused.

Adding to the party's concerns, Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole submitted a memorandum to State Election Commission CEO S. Chokalingam, questioning a significant increase in voter turnout after the polls closed on November 20.

Patole cited ECI data revealing a 7.83% rise in votes after 5 p.m., questioning why this surge wasn't reflected in long queues outside polling stations. He demanded to know in how many of the 288 constituencies there were long voters’ queues after 5 p.m. and sought the release of evidence, including video footage, to substantiate the ECI's figures.