MNS Leader Accuses Shiv Sena of Cash Distribution in Navi Mumbai Municipal Election
In a dramatic press conference held in Turbhe on Monday, Gajanan Kale, the Navi Mumbai city president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), made serious allegations against the Shiv Sena. Kale claimed that a worker from the Shiv Sena was actively distributing money to influence voters during the ongoing Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) general elections. The incident reportedly occurred in Koparkhairane, specifically within ward panel number 11A, raising concerns about electoral malpractice.
Video Evidence Presented Amid Heated Confrontation
During the press conference, Kale displayed a video clip that captured a tense confrontation involving a Shiv Sena activist. In the footage, the activist is seen being cornered by a group of rival political workers, who accused him of handing out cash to woo voters. However, the video also shows the Sena activist vehemently denying these allegations. He insisted that the money in his possession was purely personal cash and objected to demands from the rival workers to surrender it.
The individuals confronting the activist in the video have been identified as Kishore Patil and Sandeep Mhatre. Kishore Patil is the husband of Meenakshi Patil, the Shiv Sena candidate contesting from Panel ward number 11A, while Sandeep Mhatre is the husband of Sangita Mhatre, a candidate running for Panel ward number 11B. The video depicts these men manhandling the Sena activist, further escalating the situation.
Political Reactions and Police Clarifications
In response to the allegations, Atul Kulkarni, the Belapur assembly chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), provided his perspective. He suggested that the video clip shown by the MNS might be two to three days old. Kulkarni indicated that the activist involved likely belonged to the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde. He advised that if BJP workers had indeed caught the activist, they should formally lodge a police complaint to address the matter through proper legal channels.
Umesh Gavali, the senior inspector of Koparkhairane police station, shed light on the timeline and procedural aspects of the incident. He confirmed that the confrontation took place on the evening of January 9. Regarding allegations of cash distribution to voters during the model code of conduct, Gavali clarified that any complaints should first be filed with the concerned returning officer. The returning officer would then be responsible for lodging a formal police complaint if deemed necessary. Importantly, Gavali stated that as of now, no police complaint has been received in connection with this incident, leaving the allegations unresolved.
This development highlights the intense political rivalry in Navi Mumbai as municipal elections progress, with accusations of unethical practices surfacing amidst heated campaigns.
