Kharge Accuses EC of Favoring Government in Maharashtra Polls

New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) — Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission, claiming it functions as a "puppet" in the hands of the government. He says that despite raising concerns over "irregularities" in elections, the poll authority turns a deaf ear.

At a press conference held at the Congress' Indira Bhawan headquarters, Kharge accused the EC of failing to address discrepancies highlighted by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi, citing data, has exposed what he sees as inconsistencies in the 2024 Maharashtra polls. According to Kharge, these assertions are ignored by the Election Commission.

"The Election Commission has become a puppet in the hands of the government," Kharge stated pointedly. He compared it to a puppet show manipulated for entertainment, insinuating that it is not political acumen, but rather a controlled system, allowing for electoral victories claimed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kharge further illustrated the discrepancies, questioning an unusual 8% surge in the voters' list in Maharashtra within five months when typically it rises by merely 2-3% over five years. "I have fought in 13 elections and been part of many others, but I have not witnessed such an anomaly," he commented.

The Congress president accused the government of stifling dissent and exerting pervasive control, positing that RSS individuals are strategically placed throughout, leaving no room for other voices. Kharge criticized the EC for allegedly withholding the voters' lists and failing to rectify poll complaints.

"The Election Commission is acting at the behest of Modi," Kharge quipped sardonically, adding, "Thank you very much for whatever work you’re doing for Modi."

These remarks arise after Rahul Gandhi reiterated accusations of alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra assembly polls. Gandhi insists what occurred was not merely glitches but "vote theft," demanding the immediate release of machine-readable digital voter rolls and CCTV footage.

The Congress has urged the Election Commission to furnish a machine-readable digital copy of Maharashtra's voter lists and polling day footage from Maharashtra and Haryana within a week. This request came in response to the EC's previous offer for a dialogue with Gandhi regarding the concerns raised about the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

The Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts (EAGLE) in the Congress has written to the Commission stating the party's eagerness to meet with the EC once the requested data is provided. They plan to present their analysis findings during this meeting, emphasizing the longstanding nature of this request.

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