Deeply disturbing: Tharoor

Cong leader reacts after X user claims Shirur voters chose Adhalrao over Kolhe due to symbol confusion

Voting for the Shirur Lok Sabha seat took place on Monday. As per final figures provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI), a voter turnout of 54.16% was recorded, significantly lower than 2019’s 59.44%.

The Ambegaon Assembly segment recorded the highest voter turnout — 62.95%, followed by 58.16% in Junnar, 57.76% in Khed-Alandi, 56.91% in Shirur, 49.41% in Bhosari and 47.71% in Hadapsar. The contest was prominently between NCP(SP) candidate Amol Kolhe and NCP nominee Shivajirao Adhalrao. X (formerly Twitter) thread is going viral, claiming that many voters were confused over the poll symbols of the two candidates. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Kolhe fought the election on the 'clock' symbol as the NCP was not split at the time. However, following the split last year, Sharad Pawar's faction was given the 'man blowing trumpet' symbol. On the other hand, Adhalrao, who was with the undivided Shiv Sena last time, switched to Ajit Pawar's party just before the elections and contested on the 'clock' symbol. The thread claims that many voters who wanted to vote for Sharad Pawar's party mistakenly pressed the 'clock' symbol as they weren't aware of the 'man blowing trumpet' symbol.