Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 16 (ANI): BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Friday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the electoral process, calling them a 'failed toolkit of despair and desperation.'

Kesavan accused him of trying to divert attention amid his party's poor performance in the Maharashtra civic elections.

In a post on X, Kesavan wrote, 'Leader of Propaganda, LOP Rahul Gandhi has zilch-zero credibility with the people of India who do not trust the undemocratic Congress leadership and Rahul Gandhi's scarecrow tactics. Rahul Gandhi's failed toolkit of despair and desperation is- if you cannot beat them, then try to contrive conspiracy theories to confuse !'

https://x.com/crkesavan/status/2012035174436127184?s=20

'Realising the imminent drubbing of Congress and now defunct INDI alliance in the Maharashtra Civic elections, Rahul Gandhi is trying to distract and divert attention. He stands exposed once again before the nation with his pungent and puerile politics,' the post read.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi alleged that there is an erosion of public trust in the electoral process.

He shared an article from the Mumbai Mirror that highlighted voter concerns about fading indelible ink.

In a post on X, the Congress leader said, 'Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act.'

Meanwhile, early trends being reported from the counting of votes in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on Friday showed the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena Mahayuti alliance leading in around 75 wards as of 11 am, based on preliminary data.

According to the data being reported, the BJP leads in 49 seats, and the Shiv Sena leads in 26. This means that the Fadnavis-led BJP is currently batting at a strike rate of 36 per cent, having contested 135 wards. Shinde's Sena is batting at a strike rate of 29 per cent, having contested 90 wards.

Shiv Sena (UBT) is reported to be leading in 40 seats. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, is currently leading in 8 seats. The Congress has 7 leads from the initial count, while Ajit Pawar's NCP faction has 1 lead. (ANI)