“Boycott of Elections a Necessary Step Against Electoral Scams”: Sanjay Raut Backs Tejashwi Yadav’s Call

Mumbai: Amid a storm of allegations over the credibility of the electoral process, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday strongly backed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s controversial call to boycott elections, calling it a “necessary protest” against what he termed the Election Commission’s scam-driven conduct.

Speaking to the media, Raut said, “The way these people (BJP and its allies) carry out scams during elections by introducing manipulative strategies, it is high time someone takes a bold step. Tejashwi Yadav’s idea of boycotting the general elections is a powerful signal. It’s a good idea and it should spread across the country.”

Raut’s remarks come a day after Tejashwi Yadav accused the Election Commission of working under political pressure and manipulating electoral rolls, especially in Bihar, where the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list has raised alarms. Several INDIA bloc leaders have alleged the removal of lakhs of voters from the rolls, disproportionately targeting the poor and marginalized.

Calling the situation “a systematic erosion of democracy”, Raut said, “Unless such undemocratic practices are called out nationally and met with a massive boycott or civil resistance, the constitutional machinery will continue to be abused.”