The political fight between the BJP and Congress has intensified after well-known psephologist Sanjay Kumar from the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) apologized for sharing incorrect voter data related to the Maharashtra Assembly elections. This has quickly become one of the Latest News stories dominating political discussions across India.
What Triggered the Controversy?
Two days ago, Sanjay Kumar claimed on social media that there were major changes in voter lists in several constituencies in Maharashtra. He highlighted:
- A 47% increase in voters in Nashik West.
- A 43% rise in Hingna.
- A 38% drop in Ramtek.
- A 36% fall in Devlali.
These claims were quickly picked up by Congress, which used them to accuse the BJP of “vote fraud” and targeting the Election Commission. The party even launched a campaign accusing the ruling government of “vote chori” (vote theft).
Sanjay Kumar’s Apology
However, in a surprising turn of events, Sanjay Kumar deleted his posts and admitted the numbers were wrong. He explained that his team had mistakenly compared data from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with the Assembly elections, leading to an error.
In his apology on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“I sincerely apologize for the tweets. The mistake was unintentional, and I had no desire to spread misinformation.”
This public apology has fueled a political drama between the two biggest parties.
BJP Hits Back at Congress
The BJP immediately launched an attack on Congress for spreading what it called a “fake narrative”. Senior BJP leader and IT cell head Amit Malviya said:
- Rahul Gandhi used wrong data to defame genuine voters.
- Congress attacked the Election Commission without proper evidence.
- Now that CSDS has admitted its mistake, Rahul Gandhi should apologize to the people of India.
The BJP called the Congress campaign “shameful”, saying that it not only misled voters but also tried to weaken trust in democratic institutions.
Congress Stands Firm
Despite the psephologist’s apology, Congress is not stepping back. Party spokesperson Sujata Paul said:
- CSDS data was only one source.
- Congress has its own evidence collected by party workers and other Opposition leaders.
- “Why Sanjay Kumar apologized is his issue, not ours,” she added.
This means Congress will continue with its “vote theft” narrative, even though one of its main data sources has backtracked.
Rahul Gandhi’s Role
Rahul Gandhi has been at the front of this campaign, often accusing the Election Commission of siding with the BJP. He even raised examples from Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency as a case study to support his claims.
However, with the psephologist’s apology, BJP leaders are questioning Rahul Gandhi’s credibility. They demand that he stop his “घुसपैठिया बचाओ यात्रा” (Save the Intruders Yatra) in Bihar and issue an unconditional apology.
Election Commission’s Response
The Election Commission has strongly rejected all allegations of collusion with the BJP. It has even asked Rahul Gandhi to either file an affidavit supporting his claims or withdraw them publicly.
This shows how serious the issue has become, with both sides unwilling to step back.
This controversy is more than just a data error. It highlights:
- How social media trends can quickly influence political narratives.
- The growing mistrust between the Opposition and Election Commission.
- The role of Election 2024 politics in shaping campaigns months before state and national polls.
The INDIA bloc, which did well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, performed poorly in the state Assembly elections. Congress believes this is proof of voter fraud, while BJP says it is simply the people’s verdict.
