NEW DELHI: Actress Swara Bhaskar’s husband and NCP (SCP) candidate Fahad Ahmad after his defeat in the Anushakti Nagar assembly constituency, blamed the “control unit” of the electronic voting machines (EVMs), and demanded a recount of rounds 16-19.
“I was leading till the 17th round, the dilemma of 99% battery of CU is still need to resolve. ECI I am coming after you,” he said in a post on X.

Ahmad who was contesting against NCP’s Sana Malik, in a closely contested battle, eventually trailed behind her by over 3300 votes after the 19th round of voting.

He further alleged that despite maintaining a consistent advantage throughout initial rounds, the situation changed when EVM machines with 99% battery were accessed, resulting in the BJP-aligned NCP Ajit Pawar candidate gaining an advantage.
“After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds … EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP-supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took a lead. This is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, Swara Bhaskar also backed his claims and questioned, “Why do all 99% charged batteries give votes to BJP and its allies?”
“In #AnushaktiNagar vidhaan sabha after a steady lead by @FahadZirarAhmad of NCP-SP.. round 17, 18, 19 suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened and BJP supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged batteries? Why do all 99% charged batteries give votes to BJP and its allies?,” she said in her post on X.

The Mahayuti defeated the Maha Vikas Aghadi, in the Maharashtra polls, leading in over 220 seats.