Rejected by people, now rejecting mandate: Fadnavis hits back at Rahul Gandhi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has strongly hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks accusing the BJP of “rigging democracy” in the recently concluded state elections. Fadnavis accused Gandhi of continuously disrespecting the democratic process and said that the people of Maharashtra have given a clear mandate, which Gandhi is now refusing to accept.

In a scathing response, Fadnavis said, “Rahul Gandhi has been rejected by the people. Now, in return, he is rejecting the people’s mandate. By repeatedly making baseless allegations against constitutional institutions, he is insulting the very citizens who voted in large numbers.” He warned that such statements would only deepen the Congress party’s crisis and alienate voters further.

Gandhi had earlier written in a newspaper column that the Maharashtra Assembly elections were a “blueprint for rigging democracy”, sparking political uproar. Fadnavis defended the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s victory, calling it a reflection of public trust. He added that Gandhi’s narrative was only an attempt to justify anticipated defeats in upcoming elections, including Bihar.