Maharashtra Polls: Swara Bhasker Alleges EVM Manipulation After Husband Fahad Loses Close Contest

Mumbai: In keeping with the trend across Maharashtra, the Mahayuti coalition’s candidate won the Anushakti Nagar seat, which is part of the Mumbai South-Central Lok Sabha constituency

It was one of the much-followed contests as the fight was between Nawab Malik’s daughter Sana Malik, representing NCP (Ajit Pawar), and actress Swara Bhasker’s husband Fahad Ahmad of NCP (Sharad Pawar).

In a close finish, Sana beat Fahad by 3,378 votes to contribute in Mahayuti’s resounding sweep in the crucial Assembly election.

But soon after the result was officially declared on its website by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the losers cried foul, hinting at EVM manipulation by the ruling dispensation.

Swara took to social media platform X to express her amazement that battery levels of the machines remained at 99 per cent the entire day.

“In #AnushaktiNagar Vidhan Sabha after a steady lead by @FahadZirarAhmad of NCP-SP.. round 17, 18, 19… suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened and BJP supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged batteries? Why do all 99% charged batteries give votes to BJP and its allies?” Swara wrote.

Fahad levelled similar allegations, saying that he had maintained a steady lead till round 16 of the counting.

“After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds… EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP-supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took the lead… this is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19,” Fahad said.

Fahad switched from Samajwadi Party to NCP (SCP) in October. He married Swara in February 2023, and the couple became parents to a girl in September that year.