Mumbai: People from all quarters, from the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to the Shiv Sena and even social activists like Anjali Damania, have targeted BJP leader Raosaheb Danve for allegedly asking voters to accept ‘Laxmi’ (referring to money illegally given to voters ahead of polling day) during the upcoming civic polls. The Congress and NCP, but not the Sena, have now approached the state election commissioner to register a criminal offence case against Mr Danve for alleged violation of the election code. Meanwhile, the BJP has refuted the allegations, saying that the issue is politically motivated.
Mr Danve courted controversy with his remark asking voters to accept money given during the civic polls. “On the eve of elections, when Laxmi comes to your house, you should accept it,” he had allegedly said during a civic poll campaign meeting at Paithan, Aurangabad, on Saturday.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant met the chief election commissioner (CEC) and asked him to register a criminal offence case against Mr Danve for exhorting voters to take bribes. Mr Sawant said that the statement is a violation of the election code of conduct.
NCP spokesman Nawab Malik, meanwhile, said he had told state election commissioner J.S. Saharia that Mr Danve’s remarks suggested that people should accept money ahead of the polls.
Ms Damania, on her part, said in her statement, “Danve, in his speech, said that on the eve of the elections people are normally in a hurry to leave for their homes as it gives them an opportunity to accept ‘Laxmi’, i.e. cash, ahead of the civic polls, thus implying that political parties offer cash/bribe to people to vote for them and that voters should accept them without any hesitation.”
Meanwhile, according to reports, Mr Danve has claimed that he was referring to the goddess Laxmi, and not money, and that it isn’t a violation of the election code of conduct to take a goddess’s name. However, when The Asian Age tried to contact him, it was said that he’s busy in a function.
Mr Danve has replied to the election commission and, now, the CEC will decide on further action.
