Lucknow, May 6: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of undermining democratic processes, alleging that elections are being manipulated. He remarked that the exercise is no longer “matganna” (vote counting) but “mangarna,” implying outcomes are being engineered.
Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav urged the Supreme Court of India to mandate live telecast of vote counting in West Bengal to ensure transparency. “If court proceedings can be broadcast live, why can’t vote counting be shown to the public?” he asked, alleging that narratives around results are often shaped even before counting concludes.
Targeting the BJP’s electoral strategies, Yadav claimed that opposition parties had to adopt a “do or die” approach during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He said that despite alleged pressure and tactics employed by the ruling party, Samajwadi Party workers remained steadfast, contributing to the BJP falling short of an absolute majority at the Centre. He also credited the INDIA bloc’s performance in Uttar Pradesh to the efforts of party cadres and supporters.
Referring to the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Yadav alleged irregularities in constituencies such as Chhibramau, claiming that central forces were deployed to intimidate and remove Samajwadi Party workers from polling and counting centres. He further alleged that officials with links to Uttar Pradesh were involved in influencing electoral processes in other states, including West Bengal.
The remarks come amid heightened political developments in West Bengal, where recent Assembly election results have significantly altered the political landscape. The BJP’s strong performance, securing a majority and ending the 15-year rule of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), marks a historic shift in the state’s politics.
Meanwhile, outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declined to resign despite mounting pressure following her party’s defeat, setting the stage for a potential constitutional and political standoff in the state.
