INDIA Bloc To Challenge Maharashtra Verdict In Supreme Court Over 'EVM Tampering' In Assembly Polls

The development comes after a meeting with NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, and noted lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi.

Representational Image | The INDIA bloc plans to challenge alleged EVM tampering in Maharashtra's assembly elections in the Supreme Court.

The opposition INDIA bloc in Maharashtra plans to move the Supreme Court over alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the recent assembly elections. Prashant Jagtap, leader of the NCP-Sharad Pawar who lost the assembly elections from the Hadapsar seat in Pune has announced the decision against the Election Commission.

As per the report by news agency PTI, the moves followed after a meeting with NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, and noted lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi. Pawar has been meeting different leaders of his party who lost the assembly elections. The INDIA bloc has accused the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition of tampering with the EVMs which resulted in their defeat.

In last month’s elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition secured 235 seats in the 288-member assembly, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance won only 46. Additionally, Kejriwal raised concerns about discrepancies in voter lists in Delhi, where assembly elections are scheduled early next year.

Sharad Pawar Alleges Discrepancies In Votes Of EVMs

Previously on November 30, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar alleged discrepancies in votes of Electronic Voting Machines in Maharashtra Assembly polls. However, he said he did not have any proof in this regard to substantiate his claims. Following this, the Shiv Sena leader hit back at Pawar for just "blaming something" after the Maharashtra loss, asking him why he did not take any action on this during the polls.

"Why didn't he (Sharad Pawar) complain about it during the elections? If the power and money were misused during the elections, the candidates of Maha Vikas Aghadi should have complained to the election officers, police, district administration...He is just blaming something for their defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections...He (Sharad Pawar) can still file a complaint with the police, election commission," he said.

This followed after the Congress leader's 'dog' remark on the Election Commission of India triggered a massive row in the state, with BJP leaders criticising the opposition alliance for indulging in dirty politics. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya told ANI that the Maharashtra BJP has filed a complaint against Congress leader Ashok A Jagtap for comparing the EC to a dog.