Sanjay Raut Takes Swipe at EC, Calls for Nobel "Sarcastically" Amid Poll Controversy

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday attacked the BJP, drawing comparisons between the West Bengal election results and polls in countries like Azerbaijan and Pakistan. He also took a swipe at Election Commission official Gyanesh Kumar, saying his name should be recommended for the Nobel Prize.

Addressing a press conference, Raut said, "I had personally witnessed questionable electoral practices abroad. “I have seen elections in Azerbaijan where results were announced even before counting began. In India, elections and democracy now appear to be slipping away,” he said.

Raut further questioned the narrative around anti-incumbency. “The strongest anti-incumbency should have been against Modi. It should have been visible against the Gujarat Chief Minister and in Maharashtra as well. But instead, wherever opposition governments are in power, that is where anti-incumbency is being highlighted. If the government there is facing fatigue and the public is tired, then why is there no such fatigue against you? What exactly are you doing?” he asked.

He also made a sarcastic remark about the Election Commission, saying it should be “thanked” given the way events have unfolded. “Some are even saying that Gyanesh Kumar should be brought to India Gate, honoured by the BJP, awarded the Bharat Ratna, and recommended for a Nobel Prize,” he said.

At the same time, Raut pointed out that electoral outcomes in states like Tamil Nadu do not entirely support allegations of manipulation. “If things were as manipulated as being alleged, then the BJP would have defeated the DMK there. Instead, a new party like TVK has emerged strongly. That shows a different picture as well,” he noted.

Raut also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on women’s reservation, saying such an important issue demands clarity and responsibility. “The law has already been passed. Then why raise delimitation and expansion of constituencies now?” he asked, adding that states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where women’s participation is high, have not delivered the results the BJP expected.

Reminding the history, Raut cited former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who, despite once dominating the political landscape, was eventually voted out. “Today Modi is at the peak of power, but the results in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu could mark the beginning of the BJP’s political decline,” he said.

He also flagged market reactions following the results, pointing to a dip in the stock market and a fall in the rupee. “Are these just coincidences, or do they signal something deeper?” he asked.

Raut claims the allegations made by Rahul Gandhi, who has repeatedly claimed that voter lists were tampered with and that some voters were denied their rights. “These claims must be thoroughly investigated, because the strength of a democracy lies in free and fair elections,” Raut said.

“If opposition parties sit together, hold discussions, and plan their strategy collectively, the situation could look very different. At present, a fragmented opposition is working to the advantage of those in power,” he added.