Sharad Pawar’s Allegation of a ‘Seat Guarantee’

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has stirred political waters by alleging that prior to the Maharashtra Assembly elections, he was approached by two individuals offering a “guarantee” of 160 seats for the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. This number significantly surpasses the 145-seat threshold required for a majority in the 288-member legislative assembly. Pawar revealed that he introduced these individuals to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who dismissed the offer, emphasizing the importance of directly engaging with the electorate instead of relying on such assurances.

Questioning the Election Commission

This revelation marks a rare instance where Sharad Pawar has publicly questioned the integrity of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The BJP has challenged the authenticity of Pawar’s claims, arguing that if true, he should have reported the incident to authorities at the time it occurred. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed skepticism about the timing of Pawar’s statement, suggesting it was influenced by his meeting with Rahul Gandhi. Fadnavis pointed out that despite Rahul Gandhi’s past criticisms of electronic voting machines (EVMs), Pawar had previously dismissed such doubts.

Political Implications and Congress’ Commemorative March

Pawar’s comments coincided with the Maharashtra Congress’ commemoration of the 83rd anniversary of the Quit India Movement. The party organized a padyatra from the Tilak statue to August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. Led by state president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, and later joined by Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, the march served as both a tribute and a political statement. Sapkal drew parallels between BJP governance and colonial rule, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call to urge an end to what he described as dictatorial practices by the BJP.

Defending Electoral Integrity

In response to these allegations, Chief Minister Fadnavis defended India’s electoral process as “free and fair,” criticizing the opposition for making public accusations without filing formal complaints with the ECI. He questioned why Varsha Gaikwad was speaking on behalf of the ECI, further intensifying political tensions in Maharashtra.