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Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday alleged that 96 lakh fake voters have been added to the state's electoral rolls and challenged
the Election Commission to clean up the lists before holding local body elections. Addressing booth-level party workers, Thackeray urged his supporters to verify voter lists to identify duplicate or fake entries. "If polls are held like this, then it is the biggest insult to voters in Maharashtra and the country," he said. Thackeray alleged, "An attempt is being made to finish regional parties. I have learnt that 96 lakh fake voters have been enrolled in the voters' list in Maharashtra for the upcoming polls. They had also done this during the state polls as well."
Opposition Voices Concerns Over Electoral Rolls
Opposition parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, NCP (SP), and MNS, recently met the State Election Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer, claiming that duplicate names appear across different addresses and assembly segments. They have called for rectification and removal of anomalies ahead of rural and urban body elections, which are scheduled to conclude by January 31, 2026.
The Maharashtra State Election Commission responded on Saturday, saying no political party can tamper with electoral rolls and that updates and corrections are being managed securely.
Claims of Fake Voters Across Cities
Thackeray alleged that 8 to 10 lakh fake voters were added in Mumbai, with 8 to 8.5 lakh more in Thane, Pune, and Nashik. He claimed that similar additions occurred in villages and cities across the state. Without naming the ruling BJP, he accused it of attempting to manipulate the electoral process by including fake voters.
"It does not matter whether you cast a vote or not. The match has been fixed. What kind of democracy is this?" Thackeray said. He added that such practices prevent regional parties like his from gaining representation in the state legislature.
Other Claims and Warnings
Thackeray also claimed that operations at Mumbai airport will soon shift to Navi Mumbai Airport, with cargo moving to the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar district. He said surrounding land would be handed to the Adani group.
“I will not tolerate development built over the tomb of Marathi people,” he said, adding historical context about Mumbai’s integration into Maharashtra.
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