New Delhi, Aug. 7 -- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday dismissed Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's allegations of "collusion" between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the BJP, calling them "baseless."

Speaking to ANI, Shinde credited the increased voter turnout in Maharashtra to the support of Ladli Behnas, farmers, and the general public, who, he said, voted overwhelmingly for the Mahayuti alliance comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP.

"The voting percentage in Maharashtra increased as Ladli Behnas, farmers, and the public of Maharashtra decided to make the Mahayuti victorious...The allegations levelled by Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi are baseless," Shinde said.

He also accused the...