Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde criticized the opposition on sunday over allegations of an EVM being tampered with by the relative of a Shiv Sena MP, stating that such claims were false and aimed at spreading misinformation.
Eknath Shinde’s comments came in response to accusations made by Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Amol Kirtikar regarding irregularities in the Mumbai north west constituency, where Shiv Sena candidate Ravindra Waikar won by a narrow margin of 48 votes. An FIR was filed against Ravindra Waikar’s relative for allegedly using a mobile phone at a counting center in Goregaon on June 4, which is prohibited under election rules.
“Some people are trying to spread misinformation about the tampering of the EVM, which is completely false. The police will provide clarification on this matter. The opposition won many seats without any issue. Why are questions being raised only about the outcome in Mumbai North West constituency and not elsewhere in the state? Is it because my candidate, Ravindra Waikar, won and the opposition lost?” Eknath Shinde questioned.
Eknath Shinde asserted that the people of the constituency had decisively chosen Ravindra Waikar as their representative. He highlighted that Shiv Sena’s vote share in the area was significant and emphasized the party’s electoral success.
Refuting the allegations, Vandana Suryavanshi, the returning officer for Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency, clarified that the EVM used in the election was standalone and had robust administrative safeguards against manipulation. She dismissed claims of the EVM being programmable or capable of wireless communication.
“It is a complete fabrication being propagated by a newspaper. We have issued a notice to the mid-day newspaper under sections 499 and 505 of the Indian Penal Code for defamation and spreading false news,” Vandana Suryavanshi stated during a press conference.
Regarding the incident involving the mobile phone, Vandana Suryavanshi disclosed that action was taken against an individual found in possession of a data entry operator’s personal mobile phone at a counting center.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions over electoral integrity in Maharashtra, particularly in the aftermath of closely contested elections.
