He pointed out that provisions 17, 18 and 19 of the Election Conduct Rules 1960 mandate an inquiry if a formal objection is raised.

“Why has the EC not acted? Why this silence?” Sapkal said.

Taking a swipe at chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Congress leader said, “He is not the chief minister but the ‘chip minister’, a representative of a fraudulent digital democracy. The way he attacked Rahul Gandhi using demeaning language doesn’t show strength, but the stench of arrogance.”

He also accused the BJP of “rushing to defend the EC at every instance”, hinting at “deep-rooted collusion” between the poll body and the ruling party.

Responding to the BJP’s countercharge that the Congress never raised objections during elections, Sapkal clarified that objections were, in fact, raised both during and after polling.

“Candidates who lost have filed petitions in the high courts. Evidence was also submitted to the EC. This propaganda is just the BJP’s attempt at sowing confusion,” he said.

The Congress has announced a statewide agitation across Maharashtra, including rallies, marches and protests to expose the alleged “vote theft”.

The party stated that it would continue its campaign until an independent probe is initiated and accountability is fixed.