Complaint against Deshmukh's son for violating poll code

A complaint of violation of model code of conduct for the forthcoming Latur Municipal Corporation elections has been filed against Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh, son of Union science and technology minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

BJP's youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, has lodged a complaint with district authorities in Latur that Amit violated the model code of conduct for municipal corporation elections by using premises of a temple for poll campaign.

A BJYM delegation led by its state unit executive member Babu Khandade met Latur collector Vipin Sharma, seeking action against Amit for breaching the poll code.

"As per Election Commission norms, a religious place cannot be used for election work but that is what Amit Deshmukh did on April 2 when he launched the Congress campaign for the civic elections at the Siddheshwar temple premises," Khandade said.

The Latur municipal corporation election is scheduled on April 15.

"We had no objection to Amit breaking a coconut at the temple but he also addressed a campaign rally in the premises," Khandade said.

The BJYM team also apprised the collector, who is also the returning officer, of print and TV media coverage of the poll campaign launch.

"In footage shown by a Marathi TV channel, Amit is clearly seen making a political speech in a pandal erected in the temple premises," Khandade said.

Latur Congress leader Samad Patel had issued press releases and published newspaper advertisements, asking Congress candidates to attend the "launch of the poll campaign", he said.