Amid the cash-for-vote controversy ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, police on Tuesday raided a hotel in Nalasopara assembly constituency, seized cash and diaries and registered multiple FIRs. The flying squad of the Election Commission was also present during the raid. Officials said the raid was conducted following complaints that BJP leaders were distributing money at a hotel in Virar to influence voters. During the raid, workers of both BJP and Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) were found present in the hotel.
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Vasai Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Purnima Chougule said that on the upper floor, BJP members were present, while BVA workers were present on the lower floor. Some money and some diaries have been recovered. Police registered two FIRs following complaints by BVA workers who accused BJP leaders of distributing cash in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The third FIR has been registered for organizing a press conference during the silent period, which is also a violation of the MCC.
“Three FIRs have been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Civil Defense Code, 2023 and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The situation is under control,” DCP Chougule told ANI. Maharashtra’s Additional Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Kulkarni said that “everything is under control” and assured that appropriate action would be taken against anyone violating the MCC.
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Kulkarni said the flying squad reviewed the premises and made some seizures. The process of filing FIR is going on. Anyone violating the MCC will face legal action. Commission official Shekhar Ghadge said that a meeting of a political party was going on. He said that we received a complaint regarding the meeting of a political party. When our team reached, we saw that a meeting was going on. Some cash has been seized. Police have registered two cases. This will not have any impact on the elections.
