Mumbai: Cabinet minister Mahadev Jankar has come under severe criticism from the Opposition after he was seen on camera trying to exert pressure an “election official” over the phone to reject the nomination of a Congress candidate. The Congress has filed a complaint with the state election commission against Mr Jankar. Meanwhile, Mr Jankar claimed that he was speaking with a lawyer and not with any election official.
In the controversial video caught by a news channel, Mr Jankar is seen speaking over the cell phone and instructing someone (allegedly election officer) to cancel the Congress candidate’s nomination.
The context of his conversation is, “I am Mahadev Jankar, minister for animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries development. I am speaking from Wadsa-Desaiganj. Mr Motwani has filed two nominations. One is from Congress and the other is independent. Reject his nomination as a Congress candidate and keep his independent nomination. He has not asked for cup-saucer symbol but help him and allot him the same. The symbol has been allotted to my party — Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP). When my lawyer Guru comes to you speak with him.”
The Congress has urged the state election commission to take action against Mr Jankar as he has breached the election code of conduct. Wadsa-Desaiganj is in Gadchiroli district. “As the election for municipal council and nagar panchayat is going on in the state, it should be conducted in a fair and fearless atmosphere. However, the minister is putting pressure officers and hence, action should be taken against him,” said Rajesh Sharma, secretary of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar has demanded that Mr Jankar be sacked from the Cabinet. Leader of opposition in the Lower House Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said election commission must take action against the minister. Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik too has criticised Mr Jankar and said that once you take the oath, you must follow it.
Meanwhile, Mr Jankar has refuted all allegations and claimed that he was speaking with his lawyer. “I have neither pressurised any election officer, nor breached the election code of conduct,” said Mr Jankar.
Meanwhile, the state election commission has issued a notice to Mr Jankar asking him to respond within 24 hours.
