MVA blames EVMs, poll delays and Adani for Maharashtra loss

The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar's NCP group, delivered a landmark victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The coalition secured over 200 of the 288 seats, cementing its dominance in the state's political landscape. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — a coalition of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar's NCP faction — was left reeling with only 51 seats, a sharp contrast to its earlier successes.

The results have sparked celebrations among Mahayuti leaders and supporters, who have termed this a vote of confidence in their governance model and policies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the alliance, stating that the results were a testament to the people's trust in their development agenda. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hailed the outcome as a mandate for stability and progress.

However, the MVA has raised serious concerns over the election process. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate accused the Election Commission (EC) of delaying the announcement of poll dates to give the BJP-led alliance an edge. According to Shrinate, the postponement allowed Mahayuti to roll out populist schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which allegedly swayed voters in their favor.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut went a step further, alleging a massive conspiracy involving corporate tycoon Gautam Adani. “Mahayuti’s win is not the people’s will; it is manufactured. Adani’s influence and resources were used to manipulate the process,” Raut claimed at a press conference. He further questioned the legitimacy of the results, casting doubts over the vote-counting process.

The issue of electronic voting machines (EVMs) has become a focal point of controversy. Opposition leaders alleged tampering and irregularities in the machines, suggesting that votes were manipulated to favor the ruling coalition. Congress leader Udit Raj tweeted, “EVMs are the biggest obstacle to fair elections. The trends clearly show manipulation.” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi echoed this sentiment, urging greater transparency in the electoral process.

Actor and activist Swara Bhasker also joined the discourse, raising questions about anomalies in the EVMs. “How can machines that have been in use all day remain 99% charged? Why do the votes they process favor the BJP and its allies disproportionately?” she wrote on social media, highlighting what she described as “suspicious patterns.”

Despite the opposition's accusations, political analysts credit the Mahayuti’s success to its cohesive campaigning and strategic alliances. Welfare schemes, extensive grassroots outreach, and the unification of key factions played a pivotal role in consolidating their voter base. The BJP, in particular, benefited from a robust organizational structure and its appeal to urban and rural voters alike.

For the MVA, the results have underscored the need for introspection. Many within the coalition have called for revisiting their strategies and addressing the apparent disconnect with voters. Congress has hinted at reworking its grassroots approach, while Shiv Sena (UBT) aims to strengthen its urban voter outreach.