Maharashtra politicians make beeline to meet nonagenarian social activist Baba Adhav

Mumbai: In what marks a new battle against the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the campaign by Pune-based nonagenarian social worker Dr Baba Adhav generated huge response when top politicians from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi-I.N.D.I.A. bloc, including NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray, visited him to extend support.

NCP president Ajit Pawar, a key leader of the ruling Maha Yuti-NDA, also met him on Saturday and defended the EVMs.

Ninety-five-year-old Baba Adhav started a three-day sit-in protest at Phule Wada, the residence of iconic social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule in Pune city against alleged misuse of EVMs in the recent state polls. Baba Adhav broke the fast on Saturday evening.

While Sharad Pawar met him in the morning, Ajit Pawar sprang a surprise by meeting him in the evening.

Congress leader Ulhas Pawar too was present at that time.

Later Thackeray, accompanied by Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut called on him along with NCP (SP) state unit President Jayant Patil.

“There have been huge discrepancies in the voter turnout figures declared by the Election Commission… it kept changing, the vote-counting processes were allegedly manipulated to give undue advantage to the outgoing MahaYuti, and related aspects,” Dr Adhav said and expressed concern how money flowed from the exchequer in the run up to the polls.

Till now, at least 22 losing candidates from various Maha Vikas Aghadi parties and other smaller or regional outfits have lodged complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer’s office and demanded recounting of votes.

“Nobody, neither the winners nor the losers believe in the outcome of the state Assembly elections. We are stunned over how we lost, they are shocked at how they won. The reason is clear. ‘Satyameve Jayate’ was killed, but now you have revived it and we are fully with you,” said Thackeray.

“Doubts have been raised by the poll results… Dr Baba Adhav has taken this step in the interest of the people, saving democracy and safeguarding the Constitution, for which we all are with him,” said Pawar.