Govt slams Opposition for spreading lies over Maharashtra election data

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday (August 20, 2025) slammed the Opposition for disrupting Rajya Sabha proceedings, saying it was spreading lies on the Maharashtra election data, a day after research organisation CSDS issued a public apology acknowledging errors in its poll data.

Follow the Parliament Monsoon session Day 20 LIVE: August 20, 2025

As the Rajya Sabha reassembled post-lunch to discuss the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill 2025, Opposition MPs staged protests demanding a discussion on alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Despite Vice-Chairperson Bhubaneswar Kalita's repeated appeals to maintain decorum, Opposition members continued raising slogans of "vote chori bandh karo" (stop vote theft).

Also Read | Parliament passes bill to set up IIM in Guwahati

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We are raising this issue every day. We want to share about 'vote chori'... This is an important issue... We have to save democracy and the Constitution."

Mr. Pradhan made his opening remarks on the bill amid the sloganeering. When the Chair did not accede to their demand, Opposition members staged a walkout from the Upper House.

The Union Minister continued his speech and said, "Opposition is doing harmful work as they are not letting Parliament function. Parliament functions with help of poor taxpayers' money."

He accused the Opposition of wanting to discuss "one fact posted by one person in the CSDS related to the Maharashtra election with malafide intention".

"There is one person who has deliberately spread confusion in the country and the Opposition, especially Congress, is further circulating it," the Education Minister said.

Aiming CSDS, which receives funding from the government's Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Mr. Pradhan said, "Taking funds from the Government of India, it is not proper to challenge democracy."

The Minister noted that ICSSR has taken cognisance of the issue and will take appropriate action. "The head of that institution (CSDS) has issued a public apology saying the facts were wrong," Mr. Pradhan added.

The Education Minister accused the Opposition of creating a negative atmosphere and preventing meaningful legislative discussions.

"Can Congress tell whether it supports IIM Guwahati or not?" he questioned, adding that the Opposition's stance has "hurt Assamese people".