Maharashtra Assembly polls: After husband Fahad Ahmad’s loss, Swara Bhasker questions EVMs

Sana Malik, a candidate of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, won the seat with 49,341 votes, over Fahad’s total of 45,963 by a margin of 3,378 votes.

Fahad, who switched from the Samajwadi Party to the NCP (SCP) in October, has called for a recount, alleging irregularities in the voting process.

Fahad claimed he was leading after 17 rounds of counting but accused the BJP of manipulating the outcome.

He pointed to discrepancies in electronic voting machines (EVMs), asserting that those with 99% battery charge displayed Sana Malik in the lead, while others with lower battery levels showed her trailing.

“EVM machines with 99% charge were opened, and suddenly, the BJP-backed NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate took the lead,” he alleged.

Swara Bhasker questioned how EVMs used throughout the day could retain a 99% battery charge.

“Why do all machines with 99% charged batteries seem to favour BJP and its allies?” she asked.

Swara also demanded for a recount but stated that she would respect the mandate if the process was found to be fair.

The Anushakti Nagar constituency has traditionally been a stronghold for NCP veteran Nawab Malik, who had won the seat in 2009, 2014, and 2019.

This election saw his daughter, Sana Malik, contesting from the constituency while Malik himself ran from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar.

Responding to the allegations, the Election Commission clarified that EVM battery levels have no bearing on the counting process or the integrity of the machines. “The display unit of the EVM shows ‘99%’ charge as long as the battery voltage ranges between 7.4V and 8V, ensuring optimal functionality without revealing the exact charge percentage,” the commission explained.

Before joining the NCP (SCP), Fahad was the president of the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, the youth wing of the Samajwadi Party in Maharashtra.

A graduate of Aligarh Muslim University, he also completed an M.Phil. at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, where he participated in student politics.

Fahad tied the knot with Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker on February 16, 2023.

When announcing Fahad’s candidature for Anushakti Nagar, NCP (SCP) leader Jayant Patil highlighted his potential, describing him as a "well-educated young leader and an activist with extensive experience across the country," adding that people are eager to see such individuals in leadership roles.