Mumbai: The Shiv Sena leadership has been left red-faced, as three party corporators — former mayor Shubha Raul, Sheetal Mhatre and Avkash Jadhav — were recently issued notices for violating the model code of conduct after a complaint was lodged by one of the party’s own corporators, Abhishek Ghosalkar.
In the notices, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sought the corporators’ explanation for inaugurating ‘Karmayog Udyaan,’ a municipal garden at Dahisar (west), on January 14. Mr Ghosalkar alleged that the corporators tried to influence voters in the forthcoming BMC polls during the code of conduct period.
All three corporators submitted their reply to the civic body on Wednesday. “We have informed the BMC that the garden inauguration was already carried out on January 10, for which the plaque has also been put up. On January 14, an informal get-together was organised by local residents, to which we were invited to attend. However, there were no posters and banners to suggest that it was done to influence voters,” said Ms Raul.
The code of conduct for BMC polls, which will be held on February 21, kicked into force on January 11. It has banned all activities that would influence voters for the polls. In its notice, the BMC has said that no permission was taken from the civic body for the event and acts like the inauguration and making speeches are a clear violation of the model code.
However, Mr Jadhav said, “We had gone there as guests on invitation. We are aware of the election code of conduct and we would not do anything to violate it.” According to party sources, the events have left Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray fuming. “Personal enmity is one thing and party’s image is another. Aadityaji has been upset over these things. The larger interests of the party are compromised due to such acts,” said a party leader.
Incidentally, Ms Raul, Ms Mhatre and the Ghosalkar family have butted headsin the past. Three years ago, Ms Mhatre has alleged she was subjected to harassment and threats by Abhishek Ghosalkar’s father Vinod Ghosalkar, a former MLA. In 2014, Ms Raul had fought against the senior Ghosalkar in the assembly polls on the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena ticket, resulting in his defeat.
