Congress approaches Election Commission against CM Fadnavis

Mumbai: The Congress has approached the Election Commission (EC) against chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding that a case be registered against him for alleged breach of the election code of conduct. The Congress alleged that Mr Fadnavis announced schemes at an election rally in Palghar, where the Lok Sabha bypoll is slated to take place on May 28. However, the BJP denied allegations and said that the Congress was frustrated by its overall failure.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “The BJP is grossly misusing power, money and religious places to get votes. The CM announced that he would waive off the khavati loan (a type of loan given to tribals), a medical college at Palghar, and that he would exclude 29 villages from Vasai. The EC should have taken cognisance of the complaints but it hasn’t.”

Mr Sawant questioned whether the EC, too, was acting under pressure from the government. He further alleged that revenue officials were carrying out their election duties on behalf of the BJP. “Why are the senior-most revenue officers staying in Palghar? The EC should check the CCTV footage of Club One and Imperial where these officials are staying,” he said.  

The Palghar bypoll is scheduled on May 28; the seat was vacated after BJP MP Chintaman Vanaga passed away. His son, Srinivas Vanaga is contesting on a Shiv Sena ticket while the BJP is fielding former Congress minister, Rajendra Gavit. The Congress is fielding Damu Shingada while the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi and Communist Party of India (Marxist) are fielding one candidate each.