The Maharashtra Congress on Friday intensified its protest against the BJP and the Election Commission (EC) by staging a dramatic ‘rasta roko’ in Mumbai, accusing the ruling party of “stealing votes” with the help of the poll body. The protest, led by Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, brought traffic to a standstill for over an hour as party workers shouted slogans condemning the EC and the BJP government.
Earlier, addressing the media at Tilak Bhavan, Sapkal launched a scathing attack on the EC, claiming it had “completely lost its credibility” and was functioning like a “broker or advocate” for the BJP. He questioned why BJP leaders, rather than the EC, were responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s explosive allegations in Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi had, on the same day, described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as “institutionalised chori” and accused the EC of openly colluding with the BJP to strip the poor of their voting rights. Sapkal backed Gandhi’s charges, stating, “He has presented documentary proof exposing how the BJP rigged elections with the EC’s support. Instead of ordering a high-level inquiry or a Supreme Court-monitored SIT, the government is targeting Gandhi personally.”
Citing provisions 17, 18, and 19 of the Election Conduct Rules, 1960, Sapkal asserted that an inquiry is mandatory when formal objections are raised. “Why has the EC not acted? Why this silence?” he asked.
Taking aim at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Sapkal mockingly referred to him as the “Chip Minister,” accusing him of representing a “fraudulent digital democracy.” He criticized Fadnavis’s derogatory remarks about Rahul Gandhi, calling them a sign of “arrogance, not strength.”
Sapkal also accused the BJP of consistently defending the EC, suggesting “deep-rooted collusion” between the two. Responding to BJP’s claim that Congress never raised objections during elections, he clarified that complaints had indeed been filed, including petitions in high courts and submissions of evidence to the EC. “This propaganda is just the BJP’s attempt to create confusion,” he said.
The Congress announced it will launch a statewide agitation, including rallies, marches, and protests, to expose what it alleges is a systematic theft of votes. The party said it will not stop until an independent investigation is initiated and accountability is established.
