MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Congress has demanded action against state legislative assembly speaker and BJP MLA Rahul Narvekar for allegedly pressuring opposition candidates to withdraw their nominations, paving the way for his relatives to be elected unopposed in the BMC polls.
The opposition claimed that Narvekar’s conduct is objectionable and amounts to a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, urging that a criminal case be filed against him.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal alleged that as many as 70 officers and employees from Narvekar’s office were actively participating in the election campaign for his relatives.
“The case should be registered against all these government officers campaigning for political candidates during elections. This clearly violates the Model Code of Conduct, and strict action must be taken,” Congress stated in a complaint and action request letter sent to State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare.
In the letter, Sapkal noted that in Mumbai’s Colaba constituency, wards 225, 226, and 227, Rahul Narvekar’s brother Makarand Narvekar, sister Gauravi Shivalkar, and sister-in-law Harshada Narvekar filed their nominations as BJP candidates.
“At the time of filing, Rahul Narvekar was present. Around 5 pm, during the nomination process, he allegedly, through the police, threatened opposition candidates and prevented them from submitting their papers. In doing so, a person holding an important constitutional position undermined democracy and obstructed the electoral process. A criminal case should be filed against him,” Sapkal demanded.
He further stated that in a democracy, it is the Election Commission’s duty to conduct elections in a fair, transparent, and fearless manner. However, complaints indicate that opposition candidates are being pressured in multiple ways and forced to withdraw their nominations.