Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday raised concerns over the future of Indian democracy, alleging voter and EVM fraud in the country. Thackeray criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly attempting to weaken and eliminate regional parties, claiming this could threaten the democratic process.
During a press conference, Thackeray questioned the integrity of the election process, saying, “I met Rahul Gandhi last night and today, I will be meeting Arvind Kejriwal. The future of our country is in doubt. We are uncertain where our votes are going due to voter fraud and EVM manipulation. Are elections truly free and fair in India today? We think we live in a democracy, but it no longer feels like one. What happened to us, Kejriwal, and Congress could happen to Nitish Kumar, RJD, and Chandrababu Naidu in the future.”
Thackeray accused the BJP of harboring a goal to break and finish off regional parties, which he claimed was part of their broader agenda against the country’s democracy. “The BJP’s dream is to destroy every regional party just as they seek to dismantle democracy in the country,” he stated.
The Shiv Sena leader also discussed his ongoing talks with leaders from the INDIA Bloc, which seeks to challenge the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). “Efforts are underway to prepare a roadmap for the future of the INDIA Bloc. It’s a collective leadership, not based on individual egos or benefits, but for the country’s future,” Thackeray said.
Amid the INDIA Bloc’s underwhelming performance in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi Assembly elections, Thackeray’s remarks highlight the opposition’s struggle to counter the dominance of the NDA.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concerns over a sudden surge in new voters in Maharashtra, especially between the 2024 Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. He pointed out that 39 lakh new voters had been added in just five months after the Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi also questioned discrepancies in voter registration, claiming the number of registered voters surpassed the total adult population of the state.
