Shiv Sena Deputy Leader Sanjay Nirupam has strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for questioning the credibility of the recent election results in Maharashtra, calling it a childish and irresponsible act that disrespects the people’s democratic mandate.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Nirupam stated that India’s Election Commission and its electoral process are among the most robust democratic institutions in the world. He said Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to cast doubt on Maharashtra’s election outcome is not only immature but a disgraceful effort to build a false narrative ahead of the Bihar elections.
He pointed out that the Congress party had suffered a crushing defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing only 16 seats — its worst-ever performance in the state. According to Nirupam, Rahul Gandhi is simply unable to accept this loss. He said the Congress party has lost touch with the electorate and that Gandhi continues to fail because he does not understand what the people actually want.
In a scathing critique of Gandhi’s political approach, Nirupam described his conduct as a “weekly ritual of confusion”. He accused the Congress leader of spending each day of the week attacking different institutions, issues, or ideologies — from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS to Savarkar and the Election Commission — without offering any constructive leadership. Nirupam said this cyclical behaviour shows Gandhi’s lack of direction and desperation to stay relevant.
He further accused Gandhi of diverting attention from the real issues facing Bihar, which is headed for elections, and instead irresponsibly targeting the electoral process in Maharashtra. Nirupam said that it is ironic for the Congress to now criticize the Election Commission, as its own prime ministers had once appointed commissioners of their choosing.
Nirupam also noted that the Election Commission had already sent Rahul Gandhi a detailed letter, addressing concerns around increased voter turnout, updated voter lists, and other relevant details pertaining to Maharashtra. Yet, Gandhi has refused to accept the truth, he said.
Countering Gandhi’s claims about voter turnout irregularities, Nirupam highlighted that increased polling in the final hours was recorded in constituencies such as Kamthi (Nagpur) and Madha (Solapur), where candidates from the Sharad Pawar group won. Similarly, in Wani (Nashik), the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate secured a win, and in Shrirampur — which saw a 12% spike in voter turnout late in the day — the Congress candidate emerged victorious. Nirupam questioned how Rahul Gandhi could doubt the legitimacy of results that had, in fact, favoured his own party and allies.
He concluded by saying that Gandhi’s allegations are baseless, false, and a reflection of political desperation.
