As whispers of foul play echoed through Mumbai’s polling stations, NCP stalwart Nawab Malik stepped up to demolish allegations of fake voting in the fiercely contested BMC elections. In a no-holds-barred statement, he branded the charges ‘preposterous fiction’ peddled by losing camps desperate for relevance.
Flanked by allies at a bustling Goregaon venue, Malik dissected the narrative: anonymous complaints lacking specifics, amplified by biased media. ‘We’ve fought fair, mobilized real voters – from mill workers to professionals,’ he countered, releasing booth-level data to affirm transparency.
The BMC, Asia’s richest civic body with a Rs 52,000 crore budget, is a goldmine for influence. Polling across 10,000+ booths saw enthusiastic participation, but hiccups like queue mismanagement fueled speculation. Rivals alleged proxy voting in minority-heavy areas, a claim Malik dismissed with voter ID verifications.
Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam confirmed robust measures – randomization of staff, real-time tracking – minimizing risks. Malik pivoted to vision: smarter cities, better hygiene, youth employment. ‘Let EC’s report and people’s verdict expose the liars,’ he urged.
This showdown highlights perennial poll tensions in India’s financial capital, where power equates to patronage. Malik’s unflinching stance could rally his base, turning defense into offense. With outcomes imminent, BMC’s new guard promises transformative governance amid the din of democracy.