Congress Holds ‘Rasta Roko’ in Mumbai, Accuses EC of Losing Credibility

Quick Summary

• Maharashtra Congress staged a ‘rasta roko’ in Mumbai on August 8, 2025, accusing the BJP and Election Commission (EC) of “stealing votes.”
• Party workers led by Maharashtra unit chief Harshwardhan Sapkal blocked traffic, causing a snarl lasting over an hour.
• At Tilak Bhavan, Mr. Sapkal criticized the EC’s credibility and alleged that it acted as a “broker” for the BJP.
• Rahul gandhi described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as an institutionalized voter fraud aimed at disenfranchising the poor.
• Mr. Sapkal questioned why provisions in Election Conduct Rules mandating inquiry weren’t followed by EC despite objections raised.
• He accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of using demeaning language toward Rahul Gandhi and defended evidence submitted to courts regarding election manipulations.
• Congress announced statewide protests seeking an independent probe into alleged election mismanagement.

Indian Opinion analysis

The allegations by Maharashtra congress highlight significant concerns about public trust in electoral institutions like the EC. Accusations involving systemic voter manipulation demand clarity and transparency from both authorities and parties involved to avoid eroding democratic foundations.The call for adherence to legal provisions under Election Conduct Rules emphasizes procedural accountability.While protests like ‘rasta roko’ demonstrate public grievance effectively, their immediate impact on governance or judicial intervention remains uncertain without substantive proof presented during investigations. Moving forward, independent inquiries may be key for resolving doubts surrounding electoral rolls’ revision process to ensure fair elections across India.

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