Sanjay Raut blames ex-Chief Justice Chandrachud for Maharashtra poll drubbing

In the wake of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has made explosive claims, blaming former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) defeat. The ruling NDA alliance, led by the BJP, secured a landslide victory with 235 seats, leaving the opposition MVA floundering at just 49 seats.
Addressing the media after the results, Raut called for a reevaluation of the election process, demanding the elections be held again in Maharashtra through paper ballots.
“EVM has been a big issue in this election. Let this result stay, but conduct the election again with paper ballots, and then show us the same result,” Raut said.

The Sena UBT leader didn’t stop there. He turned his ire toward former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, holding him responsible for the outcome.
“All these things that have happened in Maharashtra, Mr. Chandrachud is responsible,” he stated, without providing detailed explanations for the serious allegations.
Raut’s explosive remark comes after his earlier statement wherein he accused the Mahayuti alliance of “stealing” seats. The Rajya Sabha MP made the remark after early trends showed Shiv Sena (UBT) leading in just 20 seats on November 23, the morning of the counting of votes.
The Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray managed just 20 seats, while the rival faction led by Eknath Shinde bagged bragging rights after having won 57 seats.
The NDA’s historic victory has intensified the blame game within the MVA, with leaders pointing fingers at multiple factors, including electoral processes, party strategies, and now even judicial figures.
Several Uddhav Sena leaders accused the BJP of EVM manipulation to achieve the majority mark in Maharashtra. Swara Bhasker, whose husband, Fahad Ahmad, was contesting the Anushakti Nagar assembly, stated that NCP candidate Sana Malik was ahead on EVMs that showed 99 percent battery but behind on EVMs with less battery, alluding to poll malpractice by the BJP.
Aaditya Thackeray termed the BJP-led NDA’s landslide win in Maharashtra “surprising”. Aaditya said it was unclear if the elections were decided by the people’s mandate or by the tampering of the EVMs by the BJP.
While demanding a recount, the opposition has asked the poll body to look into the allegations levelled against the NDA.