Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp counteroffensive against opposition parties over their allegations of vote tampering on Sunday. Speaking at a Save Democracy march organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Thane, he contended that the political forces currently questioning electoral integrity were the very ones that undermined the Constitution and weakened democratic establishments during the Emergency era.
Concerns Raised Over Global Influence and Social Media Manipulation
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister pointed to coordinated attempts aimed at triggering unrest within the country. He argued that external global forces alongside social media algorithms are being actively leveraged to propagate misleading narratives and engineer instability. Confronting the opposition's rhetoric directly, he said, “Those who make noise about vote theft have themselves stolen the Constitution.” He maintained that those casting doubts on the country's electoral systems are deliberately seeking to divert attention from historic missteps.
The 1975 Allahabad High Court Verdict and the 42nd Amendment
To substantiate his arguments, Fadnavis drew attention to the landmark 1975 ruling of the Allahabad High Court, which set aside the election of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He recalled that the Supreme Court had subsequently granted only conditional relief in the matter. Following that judicial verdict, the Congress administration brought forward a retrospective constitutional amendment specifically designed to bar the judiciary from scrutinizing the Prime Minister's election.
The Chief Minister asserted that the dilution of constitutional institutions, the judiciary, and democratic standards in the country began under Indira Gandhi's tenure. Reflecting on the controversial 42nd Constitutional Amendment introduced during the Emergency, he pointed out that constitutional safeguards safeguarding citizens' fundamental rights were systematically eroded. According to him, normalcy and judicial checks were only revived after the Janata Party formed the government in 1977, passing corrective amendments that restored these vital protections and firmly placed the office of the Prime Minister under constitutional oversight.
Upholding Fundamental Rights and Scrutinizing Electoral Rolls
Invoking Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Fadnavis emphasized that fundamental rights stand as the foundational pillar of the Constitution, guaranteeing equality, social harmony, and justice for every individual down to the last mile. He further alleged that the political opposition's present anxiety stems directly from ongoing efforts to identify and eliminate illegal Bangladeshi migrants from official voter registries.
Stressing that voter lists must remain strictly verified, he said, “We will continue our struggle until the name of the last Bangladeshi infiltrator is removed from the voter lists.” He reiterated that the constitutional franchise of voting is reserved exclusively for bona fide Indian citizens, and illegal infiltrators cannot be granted the freedom to exercise that democratic power under any circumstances.
Invoking Regional Heritage in the Pursuit of National Goals
Fadnavis categorized the Thane demonstration as merely the opening chapter of a wider political battle against disruptive forces. Paying homage to the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the leader observed that Maharashtra has always possessed an exemplary track record of making significant sacrifices for national ideals. He concluded by asserting that his party and supporters are prepared for an extended push against elements seeking social discord, pledging that the mission will not pause until a developed India is realized under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
