Shiv Sena Alleges Bogus Voter List Tampering Ahead of Maharashtra Polls

The opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused the BJP of attempting to include fake names in voters' lists across 150 Maharashtra assembly constituencies ahead of the elections. It claims the BJP fears losing and is manipulating voter rolls. The Election Commission's impartiality is questioned.

In an escalating political controversy, the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) has raised accusations against the ruling BJP for allegedly orchestrating the inclusion of bogus names in voters' lists across 150 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra. These claims of 'tampering' come as the BJP prepares to contest state elections scheduled for November 20, with vote counting set for November 23.

In an editorial in 'Saamana', the mouthpiece of the Sena (UBT), led by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, it is alleged that the BJP fears defeat in the polls and is resorting to unethical measures to manipulate voter rolls. Election authorities recently thwarted an attempt to insert 6,853 fake names in the Rajura assembly segment of Chandrapur district, according to the report.

Additionally, the editorial alleges that BJP workers have been using Aadhaar card numbers from residents of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to falsely add names to Maharashtra's voter lists. Meanwhile, the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi, demands the removal of Maharashtra’s Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla due to allegations of illegal phone tapping, highlighting concerns about impartiality in the upcoming elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)