After ‘funds for votes’ remark, NCP (SP) complains to poll panel against Ajit Pawar

THE NATIONALIST Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Thursday complained to the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by saying at a rally in Indapur that the taluka would get funds if it votes for his wife Sunetra Pawar.

Indapur taluka is a part of the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency where Mahayuti candidate Sunetra will take on sitting MP Supriya Sule.

“Ajit Pawar has openly threatened that Indapur will get development funds only if it votes for Sunetra Pawar. Ajit Pawar’s video has gone viral. The SEC should have taken suo moto action in the matter. It has not but now that we have filed a complaint, the SEC should act against Ajit Pawar,” NCP (SP) chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase told The Indian Express.

On Wednesday, at a rally of doctors and advocates in Indpaur, Ajitpawarsaid,“iwillhelpyouget funds as much you want. But if you are getting funds from us, we expectthatyouwillpressthebutton next to our candidate’s symbol.itwillmakemefeelgood,otherwise,iwillholdbackthefunds.”

As a video of his speech went viral, Ajit Pawar clarified that his statement was taken out of context. “There was no violation of any code of conduct. Promises are made by governments before coming to power. That is why I said when our MP is elected from Baramati, we will take up our promises made during the election...” he said.

“Let us see what the Election Commission does. The proof is thereforeveryonetosee...thegovernment is openly threatening votersthatifpeopledonotvotefor aparticularcandidate,theywillget no development. If this is not violation of the model code of conduct, what is ?” Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said.

The Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra will be held in five phases from April 19 to May 20. Baramati will vote on May 7.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut Thursday triggered a controversy by calling BJP’S Amravati Lok Sabha candidate Navneet Rana a “dancer”.

Rana is an actor-turnedpolitician. Raut said in Amaravati:“thecontestisnot against a dancer or ‘Babli’ (a Hindi film character) but a fight between Maharashtra and Modi. She is a dancer, an actor who will mark some affectionate gestures, but don’t fall for that trap.”