Congress, NCP say Kirit Somaiya giving sarees, cash

Mumbai: The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday lodged a complaint with the Mulund police against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya for allegedly holding a rally and distributing sarees and money, in violation of the Election Commission's (EC) directives while campaigning there. On receiving the complaint, the Mulund police conducted a check on Mr Somaiya's vehicle, but found nothing.

The complaint was filed by the Congress candidate B.K. Tiwari along with NCP candidate Vijay Gawai. Mr Somaiya has dismissed the allegations as a “conspiracy”.

The police has informed the EC about the same and will proceed as per its directions. The complainants have also raised questions over the police protection provided to Mr Somaiya, which was given to him after he was attacked in October 2016.

According to police sources, a diary entry was made at Mulund police station against a meeting held between Mr Somaiya and Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday night at 10.30 pm in New Rahul Nagar. A day later, the police was alerted saying Mr Somaiya was distributing sarees and cash among the residents of the slum. When the police reached the spot, Mr Somaiya had already left, while the police van that follows him for protection was parked at the mouth of the gully of New Rahul Nagar.

Rajaram Vhanmane, senior police inspector of Mulund police station said, “We have received a complaint against Kirit Somaiya for gathering with a view to campaign post 10 pm from the complainants. No FIR was registered, but we have intimated the Election Commission about the same. We have sent a letter to the EC seeking directions to pursue the complaint.” An anonymous source from New Rahul Nagar said Mr Somaiya used to frequently visit the slum to meet Asuf Purbe, one of his aides. When contacted Mr Tiwari said, “I have given a written complaint at the police station that Somaiya was holding meetings post 10 pm, which is against the EC's directives.

Dismissing the allegations, Mr Somaiya said, “This is a conspiracy against me hatched by Uddhav Thackeray's PA. I went there to meet the father of one RPI worker who has gone under bypass treatment. But puncturing the tyres of my vehicle, Sena workers tried to spread false about me.”