Sat Feb 08 10:55:10 UTC 2025: ## Shiv Sena Leader Accuses BJP of Voter Fraud in Delhi, Echoes Maharashtra Claims
**New Delhi** – Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut has accused the BJP of employing voter list fraud in Delhi, mirroring a pattern he alleges occurred in Maharashtra’s recent elections. Following the BJP’s landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, reiterated his criticism of the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming it ignored serious concerns regarding voter list irregularities.
Raut stated that a significant increase in Maharashtra’s voter rolls, which he attributed to fraudulent practices, had been replicated in Delhi. He alleged that the ECI remained unresponsive to these issues, contributing to the BJP’s success. He further claimed that the BJP’s victory wasn’t a reflection of genuine public support, but rather a result of “forced voting.”
Raut also suggested that a united opposition front, particularly a combined Congress and AAP effort, could have prevented the BJP’s victory. He argued that the divided opposition allowed the BJP to capitalize on their fractured strategy.
These accusations are echoed, albeit indirectly, by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Abdullah, in a social media post featuring a GIF depicting infighting, seemed to criticize the lack of unity within the INDIA bloc, highlighting the internal divisions amongst opposition parties.
The ECI has yet to respond to Raut’s allegations. The claims are likely to fuel further debate regarding the fairness of the Delhi elections and intensify the ongoing political tensions between the BJP and opposition parties.
First Piper 