Maharashtra assembly polls: Sharad Pawar cites speculations over simultaneous polls bid to help BJP win big states

PUNE: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said speculations were rife that simultaneous polls were being conducted in a small and a big state to defend BJP's victories in the bigger ones and counter any allegations against EVM misuse.

Interacting with reporters on Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly polls' results in Karad, the veteran leader said, "Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir went to the polls a few months back. The opposition parties won in the smaller state — Jammu and Kashmir, while the bigger state — Haryana — went to BJP. Maharashtra's assembly polls were to be held along with Haryana, but it was delayed and conducted with another smaller state — Jharkhand."

Clarifying that he did not have authentic information on EVMs, Pawar said, "Like earlier elections, this time also BJP and its allies won in Maharashtra and the opposition parties won the Jharkhand elections. Some people are saying that a pattern is emerging where BJP is winning in bigger states and the opposition in smaller states. Simultaneous elections of such states are being held so that if someone raises an objection against the EVMs, the examples of Jharkhand, and Jammu and Kashmir can be given to counter it."

Reacting to the landslide victory of Mahayuti in Maharashtra, Pawar said the "Mukhyamantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin" scheme helped the alliance to attract voters in their favour. He also said BJP managed to polarise the society with its "Batenge to Katenge" and "Ek Hai to Safe Hai" slogans during the campaign.

"The Uttar Pradesh chief minister's speeches led to polarisation in the state. Apart from that, prima facie it appears that the Ladki Bahin scheme is one of the most important reasons for Mahayuti's success. They (Mahayuti) managed to convince the beneficiaries of the scheme that if the ruling alliance loses the election, it will be discontinued, and those people voted against us," Pawar said.

During the Lok Sabha polls, Pawar's NCP (SP) had a better strike rate than that in the state elections. It won eight out of 10 seats it contested in the state in the general elections. The party performed poorly in the assembly polls and won only 10 seats. Reacting to his party's performance in the assembly elections, the 83-year-old politician said he was not dejected by the assembly poll loss and would rebuild his party again.

"I am not the one to sit at home. The verdict came out yesterday (Saturday) and I have started my visits. There are politicians of the younger generation and guiding them to rebuild the organisation will be my agenda," Pawar said.