“Rahul Gandhi, who was dejected after the crushing defeat in the Assembly elections in Maharashtra, made irrational claims and blamed the defeat in Maharashtra on the increased voting percentage. If he had known the truth from the Congress candidates who won due to this increased percentage, he would not have been shooting arrows in the air,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while dismissing Rahul Gandhi’s allegations on irregularities in the election process. While the Election Commission has clearly clarified about the increased voting percentage in the Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again cast the same doubt due to the depression of defeat, stated Fadnavis.

 

While defending his counter attack on Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister said, “If one has a look at the constituencies where voting increased, one would find from such places the candidates of opposite parties have also won. In Malad constituency, the voters increased by 11 percent (38,625) from where Congress’ Aslam Sheikh of Congress won. The voters increased by 7 percent (27,065) in West Nagpur constituency, where Congress’ Vikas Thakre, won. Similarly in North Nagpur from where Congress’ Dr Nitin Raut won witnessed 7 per cent rise in voters.

 

In Wadgaon Sheri constituency in Pune district, 10 percent (50911) voters increased benefitting Bapusaheb Pathare of Sharad Pawar group. In Mumbra constituency, 9 percent voters increased, and Jitendra Awhad of Sharad Pawar group won. Fadnavis has replied that if he had taken information about this result from his own party, Rahul Gandhi would not have had the time to make such meaningless targeting. Fadnavis said, “Rahul Gandhi has lost face due to the complete lack of communication and coordination in the Congress.”