In the aftermath of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, actor Swara Bhasker has raised serious allegations of EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) manipulation after her husband, Fahad Ahmad, faced defeat in the Anushakti Nagar constituency. Fahad Ahmad, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) [NCP(SCP)] candidate, lost to Sana Malik, daughter of former minister Nawab Malik, who ran as a candidate supported by the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP.
Allegations of Manipulation
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Bhasker questioned the integrity of the EVMs used in the election. She expressed suspicion over the battery levels of the machines, claiming they remained at an unusually high 99% throughout the day.
“In #AnushaktiNagar Vidhan Sabha after a steady lead by @FahadZirarAhmad of NCP-SP… round 17, 18, 19 suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened, and BJP-supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes the lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged batteries? Why do all 99% charged batteries give votes to BJP and its allies?” Bhasker wrote.
Fahad Ahmad echoed similar sentiments, alleging manipulation in the later rounds of counting. “After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds…EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP-supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took the lead…this is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19,” he stated.
The Electoral Battle in Anushakti Nagar
Anushakti Nagar, part of the Mumbai South-Central Lok Sabha constituency, was a closely watched seat. Ahmad, previously the state president of the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, joined NCP(SCP) in October, leaving his former party. His campaign focused on inclusive development and tackling local issues, but his efforts fell short against Sana Malik’s strong grassroots support and the BJP-backed coalition’s robust electoral machinery.
The Maharashtra Assembly election witnessed a landslide victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, which includes Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction. The alliance secured over 230 of the 288 seats in the state, solidifying its political dominance.
In contrast, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction led by Uddhav Thackeray suffered a significant blow, leading in only 20 seats out of the 95 contested. Meanwhile, Shinde’s faction, which broke away from the original Shiv Sena in 2022, displayed an impressive performance, leading in 57 constituencies.
The Maharashtra election results have reinforced the BJP-led coalition’s dominance in Maharashtra politics while leaving opposition parties with tough questions about their strategies and alliances.