Sanjay Raut slams Election Commission, asks if BJP has ‘contract’ to defend poll body

Shiv Sena leader questions Election Commission's credibility, accuses BJP of influencing poll outcomes, sparking political debate on neutrality.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday (June 9, 2025) launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission (EC), questioning whether the poll body had handed a “contract” to the ruling BJP to counter Opposition allegations about its functioning.  

Mr. Raut’s remarks came a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis penned a newspaper article refuting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claims of “match-fixing” and “rigging” in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls. The EC had earlier dismissed Mr. Gandhi’s allegations as “absurd,” stating that blaming the poll panel over unfavourable results was unacceptable.  

Mr. Fadnavis, in his article, accused Mr. Gandhi of repeatedly “insulting” the democratic process and undermining the people’s mandate. However, Mr. Raut hit back, demanding to know why Mr. Fadnavis was responding on behalf of the EC.  

“Rahul Gandhi raised questions for the EC, not the BJP. Why is Devendra Fadnavis answering? Has the EC outsourced its defence to the BJP to clear doubts about its credibility?” Mr. Raut asked.  

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that the issue was not limited to recent elections but extended to the EC’s conduct over the past decade. He accused the poll body of facilitating the split in the Shiv Sena and “handing over” the NCP to Ajit Pawar despite Sharad Pawar’s presence.  

“All this was done under pressure from Union Minister Amit Shah to manipulate election outcomes. The EC will have to answer for these actions,” Mr. Raut claimed.  

He further alleged that the EC had become a “caged parrot,” working as an extension of the BJP rather than an independent constitutional body. The strong remarks have intensified the political debate over the EC’s neutrality, with the Opposition parties stepping up pressure for greater accountability.