By | Anil Borade
Bureau chief – North Maharashtra
Dhule, Maharashtra: The issue of bogus voting in Maharashtra has once again erupted into controversy after former MLA Anil Gote made a sensational revelation that in Dhule, as many as 195 voters were registered in a single household. This disclosure has sparked fresh debate about the integrity of India’s electoral process and revived memories of past allegations of large-scale voter manipulation.
⭕ Bigger than Rahul Gandhi’s 80-Voter Claim
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had recently expressed shock over reports of 80 family members listed under one house in voter records. However, Gote insisted that the situation in Dhule was “far more alarming,” with nearly two-and-a-half times the number of voters linked to one address, raising questions about whether systematic manipulation is taking place at the ground level.
⭕ Past Chaos of Vote Theft
Dhule has long carried the reputation of being a hotspot for electoral controversies. In earlier elections, Gote had alleged that nearly 45,000 bogus votes were cast, severely compromising the democratic process. Political observers note that such inflated voter lists not only distort results but also undermine public faith in free and fair elections.
⭕ One Name, Multiple Votes
In his press briefing, Gote pointed out that several entries in the voter rolls carried identical names, with some individuals appearing more than once. This creates opportunities for vote duplication and deliberate fraud during polling. Such irregularities have previously led to political clashes and protests across Maharashtra, particularly in Dhule, where voter manipulation has often been a deciding factor.
⭕ The Money Trail – Alleged ₹2 Crore Deal
Perhaps the most explosive part of Gote’s allegations was the claim of a money-for-manipulation deal. He alleged that a person identified as Joshi was given a first installment of ₹2 crore at Vashi to tamper with the voter database. According to him, this deal was part of a larger conspiracy to tilt electoral outcomes in favor of certain candidates.
⭕ Bogus Additions Between Elections
Another disturbing revelation made by Gote was that within just three months between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, nearly 27,000 new bogus voters were added to Dhule’s electoral rolls. If true, this points toward an organized attempt to exploit administrative loopholes within a short period of time.
⭕ Political and Public Reactions
While Gote’s claims have not yet been independently verified, they have already created ripples in political circles. Opposition leaders have demanded an urgent inquiry into the alleged irregularities, while ruling party leaders have either dismissed the allegations or accused Gote of political theatrics. Among citizens, however, the revelations have revived deep concerns over whether their votes are being diluted by fraudulent entries.
⭕ A Pattern of Electoral Manipulation?
Political analysts say that voter fraud allegations are not new in Maharashtra. In several constituencies across the state, opposition parties have raised concerns about “duplicate voter IDs” and “clustered family registrations.” The Dhule case, however, stands out because of the sheer magnitude – 195 voters in one house, a figure that exposes the cracks in electoral verification systems.
⭕ Call for Reform and Transparency
Gote’s claims, if substantiated, underline the urgent need for electoral reforms, stricter scrutiny of voter rolls, and transparent investigations. Activists argue that unless strong corrective measures are taken, incidents like these will continue to undermine the democratic process and erode voter confidence.
