Maharashtra News: Salil Deshmukh Alleges Voter Fraud In Katol, Questions Sudden Surge In Electorate Before 2024 Assembly Polls

Salil Deshmukh, son of former Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP SP leader Anil Deshmukh, has alleged electoral fraud in the recent State Assembly elections. He claimed he was a victim of manipulation in the Katol constituency of Nagpur.

Deshmukh stated, "Between the 2019 State Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the number of voters in my Katol constituency increased by only around 1,900. However, between the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2024 State Assembly elections, there was a sudden increase of over 8,000 voters."

He further alleged that the Election Commission provided the supplementary voters’ list just two days before the Vidhan Sabha election. "Everyone knows how busy candidates are in the last two days of campaigning, so no one had the time to properly scrutinize the new voters' list," he said. "Therefore, I personally believe there is some truth in Rahul Gandhi’s statement regarding the sudden increase in voter numbers in the Maharashtra elections."

Salil Deshmukh also claimed that voter turnout in his Katol constituency increased by around 27,000 to 28,000 votes. He raised concerns about the Election Commission’s rule to destroy CCTV footage and polling station photographs after 45 days, calling it "a dangerous practice for democracy."