The debate over Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) credibility resurfaced in Maharashtra politics on Sunday, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly defending the Election Commission’s track record and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar recounting an unusual pre-election proposal he received before the last Assembly polls.

Speaking at a public event, CM Fadnavis reiterated that the EVM system was secure and had withstood multiple public challenges.

“The Election Commission had thrown an open challenge many times that you should come and hack the EVM. No one could do it. If you have someone, then take them to the Election Commission. But stop insulting the people and the mandate that the people have given us by telling all these lies,” Fadnavis said, targeting opposition leaders questioning the poll process.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar, in a separate interaction, recalled an incident that took place before the announcement of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

“I remember that before the Maharashtra Assembly elections were announced, two people came to meet me in Delhi… They told me that out of 288 seats in Maharashtra, we guarantee you 160 seats. I was surprised; to be honest, I had no doubts about the Election Commission,” Pawar said.

The veteran leader added that he arranged a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss the offer.

“Whatever they wanted to say, they said in front of Rahul Gandhi. But Rahul Gandhi and I were of the opinion that we should not pay attention to this; this is not our path,” Pawar explained.

The statements come against the backdrop of growing opposition scrutiny over electoral procedures, with some leaders accusing the BJP of manipulating the mandate and others calling for a complete return to paper ballots.