Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: In a significant development, Congress leader Naseem Khan has filed a complaint against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over alleged violation of model code of conduct and entering into a constituency in Mumbai.
Four-time MLA and former minister, Khan, the working president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, is contesting the elections from Chandivali seat.
Shinde, chief leader of Shiv Sena, is a candidate from Kopri-Pachpakhadi from the neighbouring Thane city.
Khan’s chief polling agent Ganesh Chavan filed the complaint with Kalpana Ghode, the returning officer of Chandivali assembly constituency.
A copy of the complaint letter has also been sent to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.
“As per the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India, candidates or any political leaders contesting elections are prohibited from entering constituencies other than their own constituency, 48 hours prior to polling day. However, Shinde along with Shiv Sena’s Chandivali candidate Dilip Lande held the road show on November 20, 2024, at around 03:08 pm. The road show was held from Kajupada Ghas compound to St. Jude High School. Multiple polling stations are located in the stretch,” the complaint said.
“Shinde and Lande were canvassing and appealing for votes by engaging with local voters and party workers, which is a violation of the model code of conduct,” Chavan said in the letter.
“This unauthorised presence raises serious concerns about potential undue influence and disruption to the free and fair election process. It is an attempt to sway voters in the free and fair election process,” he said.
He also requested the Saki Naka police station to register an FIR in the case.
Assembly Elections 2024 | The Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place against the backdrop of a fractured political landscape in the western state where the Shiv Sena and NCP will be going up against the Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions, even as the BJP and Congress try to make their mark. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM faces a new challenge after Hemant Soren's recent arrest and Champai, a longstanding party member, joining the BJP. The Haryana election resulted in a shock loss for Congress, which was looking to galvanize on the Lok Sabha poll performance, while J&K also saw the grand old party eventually stepping away from the cabinet, with Omar Abdullah's JKNC forming government. It remains to be seen if the upcoming polls help BJP cement its position further or provide a fillip to I.N.D.I.A. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.
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