Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday used a Rajinikanth movie analogy to pick holes in circumstances surrounding the stone attack on Anil Deshmukh, the former home minister of the state, saying that the "entire story" seems a hoax to gain sympathy in the face of "imminent poll defeat". The senior Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader suffered a head injury when some unidentified persons hurled stones at his car on Monday night when he was returning to Katol after attending a poll meeting in Nagpur district. "This purported attack is part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to divert attention from the imminent defeat they are facing in (November 20) assembly elections," Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur. Fadnavis, who heads the state Home department, said the claim regarding a "10-kg stone" hitting Deshmukh's car does not add up, as the vehicle reportedly did not suffer a "significant damage". "If such a large stone was hurled at the car, the windshield should have been smashed. Moreover, the bonnet of the car didn't receive a scratch," he said. If a stone is claimed to have been hurled from the backside of the car, how did Deshmukh suffer injuries to his forehead? Fadnavis asked. "Why did Deshmukh sustain only minor abrasions? This entire story is reminiscent of scenes from a Rajinikanth movie rather than reality. It reads like Salim-Javed script of yesteryears," the home minister added. He said the entire narrative of the attack is a fabrication aimed at discrediting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while deflecting attention from the electoral challenges facing Deshmukh's son. "This claim is amplified by the eco-system including (NCP-SP chief Sharad) Pawar saheb and others to harm BJP's reputation ahead of the assembly elections," Fadnavis claimed. Anil Deshmukh's son Salil is contesting from the Katol assembly constituency on the NCP (SP) ticket against BJP's Charansingh Thakur. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 November,2024 10:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe seizures of cash, alcohol, and other items amid the poll code conduct for the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 amounted to Rs 660.16 crore, while 8,668 of 8,678 complaints lodged through the C-Vigil app were resolved, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, as per the information shared by the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer, 8,678 complaints were lodged across Maharashtra via the Election Commission's C-Vigil app from October 15, when the model code of conduct kicked in, to November 18. Of these, 8,668 complaints were resolved. Enforcement agencies from the state and Central governments seized illegal items worth a staggering Rs 660.16 crore during the same period. The seized assets included cash, alcohol, drugs, and precious metals, the CEO's office stated. The strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct is underway in the state which votes on November 20 ensuring that the election process remains fair and transparent. The C-Vigil app and proactive enforcement measures have played a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in Maharashtra. A total of 4,136 candidates are in the fray from 288 constituencies. The Maharashtra assembly polls will be held on November 20, with the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance vying to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine hoping for a strong comeback. Polling will begin in all the 288 assembly seats at 7 am and end at 6 pm, an election official said. The votes will be counted on November 23. The election campaign saw prominent leaders like Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and many Union ministers crisscrossing the state to garner votes for their candidates. The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is banking on its popular schemes like Majhi Ladki Bahin for women helping it retain power. The MVA alliance countered the ruling combine's rhetoric by focusing on issues like caste-based census, social justice, and protecting the Constitution. The opposition aimed to appeal to voters who felt neglected by the government. (with PTI inputs)
19 November,2024 10:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) on Tuesday announced that it will extend train services hours for Maharashtra Assembly election 2024. In an official statement, the MMRC said that it will operate trains early morning until midnight to ensure smooth travel for the election staff and voters for assembly elections. It said, "The first train will depart from 4 am in the morning of 20th November 2024 and last train at 1 am on 21st November 2024 from both BKC and Aarey JVLR stations. Additional 20 trips have been added to ease the convenience during the extended hours." Mumbai Metro One extends operating hours for polls Mumbai Metro One has announced the extension of its operating hours for the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024, an official statement said. It said that the extended hours will assist the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in facilitating the travel needs of election staff on the critical day of voting and beyond. The statement said that recognising the need for election officials to reach their respective polling stations early and stay late to secure materials and ensure the integrity of the voting process, Mumbai Metro One has decided to extend its operational hours on election day. It said that On 20th November, the first metro services from both Versova and Ghatkopar stations will start as early as 4am, allowing election officers and other personnel to reach polling stations on time. The last metro service from both terminals will run until 1am on 21st November. The extension comes in response to a request made by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, as the Mumbai Metro One corridor connects several key stations along both the Western and Central Railways, making it an essential transport link for election staff, the statement said. It further said that the extension of operational hours is part of Mumbai Metro One’s broader commitment to public service and social responsibility for upcoming polls. The Election staff typically need to reach polling stations early, often before 5am, to prepare for the day’s proceedings. After the voting ends, many officers remain at the polling booths to collect, secure, and transport election materials and machines, necessitating late-night travel options.
19 November,2024 07:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe authorities in Palghar district of Maharashtra on Tuesday said that a police team comprising senior officials recovered around Rs 9.93 lakh and some incriminating documents from the hotel where some BJP activists were allegedly distributing money, reported the PTI. The statement has come in the wake of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur's cash-for-votes allegations. Thakur alleged that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde was distributing money to voters in Palghar on the eve of the Maharashtra assembly election 2024. Hitendra Thakur had claimed Vinod Tawde had come to Virar to disburse Rs 5 crore to influence voters, and he was at a hotel, as per the PTI. A video on social media showed BVA workers confronting Vinod Tawde outside the hotel. District collector and election officer Govind Bodke said the election department received complaints from BVA activists that some BJP workers were distributing cash at a hotel in Virar. Following this, the returning officer of Nalasopara and a police team, along with the joint police commissioner and two deputy police commissioners, searched the hotel and recovered Rs 9.93 lakh cash and some incriminating documents, the official said. The collector, in a recorded message, confirmed that cases were registered for offences, including possession of cash, violation of the model code of conduct, and holding illegal press conferences. The police were probing into the crimes, he said, without revealing against whom these offences were registered. Vinod Tawde and the BJP, however, have denied the allegation. The BJP leader claimed he was in Nalasopara to provide guidance regarding election procedures and challenged the opposition parties to verify his activities. According to the ANI, Vinod Tawde said, "I believe that Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation." Tawde said, "A meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. The Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be made...I went there to tell them about it. The workers of the party (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi), Appa Thakur and Kshitij thought that we were distributing money. Let the Election Commission and Police inquire, let them get CCTV footage. I have been in the party for 40 years. Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, the entire party knows me...Still, I believe that Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation." (with PTI inputs)
19 November,2024 06:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn the eve of the voting day on Wednesday for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, the Mumbai Police have made extensive security arrangements. Five Additional Commissioners, 20 Deputy Commissioners, 83 Assistant Commissioners of Police, and more than 2,000 officers, and over 25,000 constables will keep vigil in the city. Additionally, three units from the Riot Control Police (RCP) will be on duty to prevent any untoward incident. To manage traffic effectively, 144 officers and more than 1,000 personnel have been assigned, along with 4,000 Home Guards. Furthermore, 26 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and State Armed Police Forces (SAP) will also be deployed to ensure smooth and secure elections.
19 November,2024 06:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanShiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday took a "note jihad" jibe amid allegations of a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader distributing money hours before voting for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 begins. BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde has been accused of distributing cash to voters in Palghar by regional outfit Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), an allegation denied by Tawde and BJP. Thackeray demanded strict action by the Election Commission of India, stating that merely registering a case against Tawde will not be enough. "Is this BJP's note jihad (for votes)? 'Baatenge aur jitenge (will distribute cash to win)?' Entire Maharashtra has seen it [a video showing bundles of cash]. Maharashtra will decide tomorrow," Thackeray told reporters, taking a swipe at the 'Batenge toh katenge (divided we fall)' slogan raised by BJP leaders and 'vote jihad' claims. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had appealed to voters in public meetings to counter "vote jihad" with 'dharmayuddha of votes'. "Tawde was lauded for toppling governments in some states and helping to form new ones. Now the secret behind this has come out in the open, Thackeray said. A high drama prevailed at a hotel in Virar where Tawde was staying after Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur accused the BJP general secretary of distributing money to voters. The BJP denied these claims with Tawde asserting that he was in Nalasopara to guide the party workers about election procedures, and challenged the opposition parties to verify his activities. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 November,2024 05:59 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIThe number of eligible voters in Mumbai has surpassed 1 crore, ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election 2024. As of November 19, Mumbai has 1,02,29,708 voters, up from 98.95 lakh during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, a civic official said, according to the PTI. The voter breakdown includes 25,43,610 voters in the island city and 76,86,098 in the suburban areas. Among these, there are 54.67 lakh men, 47.61 lakh women, and 1,082 transgender voters. Additionally, 1.46 lakh voters are over the age of 85, and 23,928 are people with disabilities. There are also 2,288 overseas voters and 1,475 service voters, as per the PTI. The increase in the voter count comes from adding 2.91 lakh new voters since the Lok Sabha elections. However, 43,020 names were removed from the voter list, mostly due to changes in voter registration. Mumbai has 36 assembly constituencies in total, with 10 in the island city and 26 in the suburbs. There are 410 candidates running for these seats, with 105 candidates in the island city and 315 in the suburbs. To ensure smooth voting, 10,117 polling booths have been set up across the city, including 2,538 in the island city and 7,579 in the suburban district. For security, the police have deployed 25,696 personnel. While there are no highly sensitive polling booths in Mumbai, there are 76 "critical" booths where turnout has historically been low. The city will also have 84 model polling stations, with 38 run by women and young staff, and 8 specifically for people with disabilities. As of now, the Election Commission (EC) has acted on 563 complaints in the city and 564 in the suburbs through the C-Vigil app. A total of 8 cases of poll code violations have been filed in both areas. Authorities have also made several seizures during the election campaign, including large amounts of cash, drugs, liquor, and freebies, according to the PTI. So far, Mumbai's authorities have seized Rs 33 crore in cash from the island city and Rs 12.6 crore from the suburbs. They’ve also recovered Rs 7 crore worth of precious metals in the city and Rs 238 crore in the suburbs. Other items seized include Rs 2.62 crore worth of freebies in the island city and Rs 3.21 crore in the suburbs. (with PTI inputs)
19 November,2024 05:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter a long wait of about four years, both Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) are receiving new Mumbai local trains, the officials said on Tuesday. While WR is getting an AC local train with the hope of increasing services, CR is receiving a non-AC regular local train, which will mostly be used to replace older trains on the Harbour Line. "We have received a non-AC local train, which will mostly be used to replace the older train in use on the Harbour Line. There will be no new services, but it will be used as a replacement," a CR official said. "For WR, an AC suburban rake has been dispatched from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, but we have yet to finalise any details about service upgrades for the AC rakes. Our team is working on it," a WR official said. Following demands from commuters, Western Railway had sought more AC local trains from the Railway Board. After this, it was decided to allot eight new underslung AC rakes in the financial years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Of the eight 12-car AC locals, four have been allotted to WR as the first priority, and one each to Eastern Railway, headquartered in Kolkata, and Southern Railway, headquartered in Chennai, as second and third priorities, respectively. WR currently operates 96 AC services with seven AC trains. There is no immediate update about any new AC services or trains allotted to Central Railway, as there has been opposition from commuters. AC trains on CR have become a political issue since August 2022, with NCP president Sharad Pawar calling for their complete withdrawal from the city and the restoration of regular services for working-class commuters.
19 November,2024 05:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarEnough is enough. Politicians and local authorities make promises, win elections, and forget us. It’s time for a rethink,” say fishermen displaced by the JNPT Phase 2 project. Frustrated after 40 years without rehabilitation or compensation, families from Sheva Koliwada have vowed to boycott the November 20 Assembly elections and escalate their protest with a “Channel Bandh” to block JNPT’s navigation channel on Constitution Day, November 26, if demands remain unmet. “We gave up our ancestral land for the port in 1982, expecting jobs and alternate land as promised. Decades later, we’re still waiting,” said Parmanand Koli, Secretary of the Maharashtra Small Scale Traditional Fish Workers Union. Of the 256 affected families, only 42 received jobs, and 105 were allotted land parcels, which the community rejects as inadequate. Villagers say landfilling and reclamation work is underway at JNPT. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi Protest expands Hanuman Koliwada’s 1,250 eligible voters have unanimously decided to abstain. “Our village has 450 families, and we’re united in boycotting this election, just like we did in May’s Lok Sabha polls,” Koli said, warning that 15 nearby koliwadas, with over 7,000 residents, could join the boycott. Shocking revelations Fishermen also allege irregularities, including an illegal Gram Panchayat formed with vested interests. “We recently discovered our village is officially a transit camp. Even the State Election Commission says transit camps cannot host polling booths,” Koli added. The fishermen accuse authorities of years of deception. “We believed their promises, but the next generation has exposed their lies through RTI inquiries. We feel abandoned,” Koli said. With no resolution in sight, the fisherfolk demand urgent action. “We will not vote or stop protesting until we get justice,” Koli warned. The proposed land parcel assured by the district administration to be handed over to the Sheva Koliwada Channel bandh agitation Fishermen have warned authorities to finalise plots and ownership documents for 256 families near JNPT township by November 25. “JNPT promised to hand over plots by November 15 but failed,” said Ramesh Koli, General Secretary of the Maharashtra Small Scale Traditional Fish Workers Union. Koli added, “The Deputy Collector claims paperwork will be done by November 25. If not, we’ll proceed with the Channel bandh on November 26 and boycott the November 20 elections.” The protest involves fishing boats blocking ships from entering JNPA. “We did this in 2021 but called it off after false assurances. This time, we won’t back down,” said Koli. Forced evictions “At the time of the 1982-83 land acquisition, we were told the port project was for national progress and asked to cooperate,” said 62-year-old Jagdish Shivekar, a displaced villager. “Sheva Koliwada had 737 hectares, and most of us were fishermen. We were promised monetary compensation, jobs for one family member, and proper rehabilitation under the Maharashtra Resettlement Act, 1976, but those promises remain unfulfilled.” Forced into homelessness “They told us to dismantle our own homes and move to Boripakhadi, Uran, where a 17-hectare plot was to be allotted,” said 70-year-old Manohar Koli. “It was the rainy season, and with our homes demolished, 256 families lived in makeshift tents for over 18 months, losing belongings and enduring hardship.” “We even had to construct our own houses on the new plot, now called Hanuman Koliwada, using our savings,” added Paramanand, another affected villager. “The elders trusted the government’s word, but decades later, we’re still waiting for justice.” ‘We were fooled’ “Of the 17 hectares allotted, only 0.91 hectares were given for housing. Houses were crammed with no space for courtyards or back doors, and the plot distribution order came after construction,” said Paramanand, who uncovered these facts through RTI. Adding to their shock, he said, “We found out 15 hectares of the land were handed over to the Forest Department without our knowledge. We only discovered this through RTI records.” Termite plight In 1996, termite infestations devastated creek-side houses. “Doors and roofs collapsed, and some homes were destroyed entirely,” said Manohar Koli. “While 33 houses were severely damaged, pest control failed. Families moved to rented homes temporarily, but JNPT stopped paying rent, forcing them back into termite-ridden houses.” Sangeeta Koli, 47, shared her ordeal: “We replaced wooden roofs and doors with steel at our own expense. My husband and I now live under the open sky as our damaged house is uninhabitable, while our children stay elsewhere.” Poor ventilation added to the misery. “I keep lights and fans on even during the day, running up bills over ₹2,000, which I can’t afford,” said 70-year-old Parvathi Koli. Cramped houses left families struggling. “We can’t eat meals together or host guests. During functions, lanes are impassable,” said handicapped villager Jaganath Koli. “In Sheva Koliwada, we had spacious homes with courtyards and natural light. Here, we’re suffocating.” Garbage issues Houses in Hanuman Koliwada are built over open gutters, with residents washing utensils and clothes in the open. “Ever since we found out that the koliwada is a transit camp, the Panchayat doesn’t clear waste from our backyard anymore. The area is filthy, a mosquito breeding ground, and home to snakes due to the marshy creek,” said Parvathi Koli. Despite an assurance from JNPA on August 13 to handle civic issues, nothing has been done. “They promised to clear garbage and provide infrastructure but haven’t even removed the waste,” said Paramanand. Villagers also highlighted the dire state of public toilets near the creek, which lack electricity and septic systems, with waste flowing directly into the creek. “Many have fallen sick, and the nearest hospital is far away in Nerul or Vashi,” the villagers said. Demands for relocation Post-termite infestation, residents demanded relocation. Numerous meetings since 2021 resulted in identifying a 10.16-hectare site near JNPA Township. “The district collector agreed that JNPA must rehabilitate 256 families with proper infrastructure, but no action has been taken,” said the villagers. Concerns raised “We were never rehabilitated from Sheva Koliwada,” said Ramesh Koli. “The claim that Hanuman Koliwada is our second rehabilitation is false. Neither the 17 hectares of our original land nor the 2 acres allotted for housing was handed over. This misinformation continues to mislead the central government.” Parmanand Koli added, “A former collector tried to correct the record by preparing a factual report for the Centre, but both he and his deputy were transferred before the report could be finalised.” Villagers noted that JNPT returned acquired land to some other villages, but Sheva Koliwada remains untouched even after 40 years. “Our demand to return and rehabilitate us in our original village has been ignored. The TISS 2013 study highlighted that apart from jobs, healthcare and basic amenities for affected families were neglected,” said Parmanand. He also criticized JNPT for leasing surplus land to private companies for profit while failing to address villagers' concerns. Defence safety concerns Hanuman Koliwada is within a defence buffer zone near INS Karanja and INS Tunir, where construction is restricted. “The Bombay High Court, in 2011, flagged this as a sensitive area. The defence now labels us as encroachers, but how did the district administration allow us to settle in a prohibited zone in the first place?” questioned Parmanand. The other side The JNPA proposed a second rehabilitation for Hanuman Koliwada on 10.16 hectares near JNPA Township at an estimated cost of R41.86 crore. While R5.69 crore has been paid to the Raigad collector, R36.17 crore is pending central approval. “The cost of housing is not included in this amount,” noted an RTI-revealed letter from JNPA to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways dated April 24, 2023. Deputy collector says... Deputy Collector (Rehabilitation) Bharat Waghmare clarified, “The fisherfolk of Hanuman Koliwada have never been rehabilitated before. They continue to live in a transit camp. The proposed 10.16-hectare site near JNPA Township is marked, and a tender for an R3 crore road was prepared but delayed due to the Election Code of Conduct. We hope to secure the Centre’s approval by month-end.” Police ensure law and order Assistant Commissioner of Police (Port Division) Vishal Nehul confirmed meetings with villagers to mediate the situation. “Prohibitory orders are in place, and additional police forces have been deployed. We won’t allow channel blockades, as we’ve dealt with similar protests in 2021. However, we hope their demands will be addressed, ensuring law and order.” 1982Year land acquisition for JNPT port phase was done
19 November,2024 04:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Vinod Tawde on Tuesday reacted to the money distribution allegations against him ahead of the voting for Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 and said that the Election Commission (EC) should conduct an impartial investigation. According to the ANI, Vinod Tawde said, "I believe that Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation." Explaining the matter Tawde said, "A meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. The Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be made...I went there to tell them about it. The workers of the party (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi), Appa Thakur and Kshitij thought that we were distributing money. Let the Election Commission and Police inquire, let them get CCTV footage. I have been in the party for 40 years. Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, the entire party knows me...Still, I believe that Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation." #WATCH | BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde says, "...a meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. The Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be made...I went there to tell them about it.… https://t.co/kOupjvw0wE pic.twitter.com/3JFRdecQp1 — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024 Earlier on Tuesday, a clash had unfolded in Virar area of Maharashtra after the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) party workers confronted BJP's Vinod Tawde, accusing him of allegedly distributing cash to influence voters in the Vasai-Virar constituency. The allegations have sparked a political storm ahead of the November 20 polls The videos of the incident are circulating widely on social media platforms. Breaking News:A clash between BJP and BVA erupted in Nalasopara over money distribution allegations. BJP leaders Vinod Tawde and Rajan Naik, along with BVA candidate Kshitij Thakur, confronted each other at Vivant Hotel, Virar East. Electoral officials and local police are on… pic.twitter.com/hoLfQTSyFs — Mid Day (@mid_day) November 19, 2024 The BVA leaders have claimed that Vinod Tawde was caught red-handed distributing Rs 5 crore during a BJP meeting. According to their statements, the local police recovered a diary from the venue containing detailed records of alleged money distribution. The videos show that the heated confrontation between BJP and BVA workers reportedly occurred at a hotel in Virar, where Vinod Tawde was also present. The accusations have escalated tensions in the constituency, which is already a battleground ahead of the November 20 polls. (with ANI inputs)
19 November,2024 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn the eve of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, a dramatic clash unfolded in Virar as Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) activists confronted BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde, accusing him of distributing cash to influence votes in the Vasai-Virar constituency. The allegations have sparked a political storm, with videos of the incident circulating widely on social media. BVA leaders claimed that Tawde was caught red-handed distributing Rs 5 crore during a BJP meeting. According to their statements, the local police recovered a diary from the venue containing detailed records of alleged money distribution. The heated confrontation between BJP and BVA workers reportedly occurred at a hotel in Virar, where Vinod Tawde was present. The accusations have escalated tensions in the constituency, which is already a battleground ahead of the November 20 polls. Allegations of cash-for-votes BVA leaders allege that BJP is engaging in unethical practices to secure victory in the assembly elections. They claim Tawde was distributing money among party workers and voters to sway the election results in favour of the BJP. "The BJP has stooped to new lows by trying to buy votes," a senior BVA leader alleged during the clash. "We have evidence, including a diary, which details the disbursement of funds." The police have yet to confirm the contents of the diary, but they have stated that an investigation is underway to verify the allegations. Police involvement and escalation Local law enforcement officials have confirmed that a significant amount of cash was found at the venue. However, they are investigating the source of the money and whether it was linked to electoral malpractice. "The situation became volatile as supporters from both sides clashed," a police officer on the scene stated. "We have taken necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of all parties involved." BJP has refuted the allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated. Party spokespersons argue that the accusations are baseless and intended to defame their leader ahead of the crucial polls. The clash is currently ongoing at Vivant Hotel in Manvelpada, Virar East. Impact on the elections The Vasai-Virar constituency has become a focal point in this year’s Maharashtra Assembly elections, with both the ruling BJP-led coalition and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) vying for dominance. The incident involving Tawde has added fuel to the already intense campaign. Political analysts suggest that the allegations could influence voter sentiment, especially if the claims are substantiated. Election Commission's ResponseThe Election Commission of India (ECI) has been informed about the incident and is expected to review the matter closely. Under the Model Code of Conduct, bribing voters or distributing cash for electoral gains is a punishable offence. This dramatic turn of events comes as campaigning for the assembly elections concludes, with voting scheduled for November 20 and results to be declared on November 23. The incident has further underscored the high stakes and fierce competition in this year’s elections.
19 November,2024 03:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
