Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday addressed concerns raised by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray regarding the reliability of the ink used to mark voters during the ongoing municipal corporation elections. Reacting sharply to the allegation, Fadnavis questioned the claim, asking whether the ink on his own finger had vanished after voting.
“I have also voted and my finger is marked. Is it erasing?” the Chief Minister remarked, dismissing suggestions that the marking system could easily be misused for double voting. He added that creating unnecessary panic during elections was irresponsible, but clarified that the State Election Commission should examine the issue objectively.
“If there is any genuine problem, the Election Commission should look into it and even change the method if required. The elections must remain transparent and impartial,” Fadnavis said, adding that alternative marking methods could be explored if needed.
Raj Thackeray had earlier alleged that a newly introduced marking pen allows the ink to be removed easily, even with hand sanitizer, raising fears of voters re-entering booths to cast votes again. Calling it a serious loophole, Thackeray urged party workers to remain alert and claimed the move reflected desperation by those in power.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Fadnavis cast his vote in Nagpur along with his wife Amruta Fadnavis and his mother. Sharing images on social media platform X, he appealed to citizens to actively participate in the civic polls. “I have voted with my family. Have you done your duty? Please step out and vote,” he wrote.
Amruta Fadnavis also encouraged voters to exercise their democratic right, stating that informed and practical voting was essential for the state’s development.
