Ajit Pawar's 'vote for funds' warning: NCP (SP) seeks EC actions, public apology from Dy CM
Nagpur (PTI): NCP (SP) leader and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule on Sunday said the Election Commission of India must monitor remarks like the one made by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar linking development funds to voter support.
Her party spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the EC must take immediate action, while Pawar must issue a public apology.
During campaigning on Friday for elections to the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat in Baramati tehsil of Pune district, Pawar said he will ensure there is no shortage of funds for the town if they elect his party's candidates, but if they reject them, he will also "reject".
Addressing a press conference here, Sule said, "In a strong democracy it is the moral responsibility (of the EC) to monitor such statements, but we can't see such thing happenings nowadays. I myself have fought a case in the EC but we did not get justice despite having all the papers."
"We should have faith and trust in the Election Commission. But, unfortunately, in the last few years dissatisfaction can be seen with the EC in society and newspapers," the Baramati MP claimed.
Speaking on Friday, Pawar had said "I will ensure there is no shortage of funds if you elect all 18 NCP candidates".
"If you elect all 18 candidates, I am committed to give whatever I have promised. But if you reject, I will also reject. You have votes, I have funds," Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio in the BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti government, had said.
The remarks amount to an explicit threat against the democratic rights of the people, NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said.
"Ajit Pawar, who holds the state's Finance portfolio, shockingly declared to voters that they 'have votes, I have funds'. He proceeded to warn that if the voters did not back his candidates and "rejected" them, then he would also "reject" development in return. He promised no shortage of funds if all 18 candidates of his were elected," Tapase said.
"These remarks are nothing short of threatening and intimidating the electorate. The Constitution of India vests the real authority in the people, and any attempt by a powerful public office holder to coerce their franchise is a direct attack on democracy itself. Ajit Pawar is the custodian and not owner of public funds," Tapase asserted.
He said funds are given from the taxes paid by the common people and they must be used for the all-around development of the state and all its citizens, irrespective of whether a chosen candidate wins or loses an election.
To explicitly link development aid to electoral success is a corrupt practice and a gross misuse of the power entrusted to the finance minister and the NCP (SP) demands immediate and stringent action from the Election Commission of India, Tapase said.
"How long can the Election Commission remain a silent spectator while a prominent state leader openly threatens voters and tries to leverage state resources for political gain? The ECI must take immediate action against DCM Ajit Pawar as per the law," he said.
Tapase also sought to know how Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central leadership of the BJP were tolerating such remarks from an ally.
"The development of Maharashtra is not conditional upon the whims of one individual. It is the fundamental right of every citizen, paid for by their tax money. Ajit Pawar must apologize for trying to turn a constitutional responsibility into a political weapon," the NCP (SP) spokesperson said.
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Social media campaigns, flexboards won't decide who will be Kerala CM: Chennithala
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, a CM hopeful, on Wednesday said that social media campaigns and putting up of flexboards wiill not be the deciding factors for selecting the chief minister of Kerala.
Chennithala made the remark in response to reporters queries in Delhi on the intense social media campaign in favour of V D Satheesan as CM on the ground that he led the UDF poll campaign from the front.
"Who should be CM is not decided based on social media campaigns or the flexboards put up by the supporters. It is decided by the high command in accordance with the procedure already in place.
"As part of that two party observers will reach Kerala by evening and they will speak to all the MLAs. After that, the party high command will take a decision," the senior Congress leader said.
He said that the high command will take the decision based on party interests and everyone will accept it.
Chennithala also rejected queries about whether the alleged contest within the party for the CM post will create any displeasure among the voters.
"There will be no displeasure among voters as there is no contest," he contended.
On whether there was a delay in announcing the CM for Kerala, Chennithala said that the chief minister has not been selected in the other state where polls were held.
"So, can it be said that there is a delay in the case of Kerala?" he asked.
He said that he was in Delhi for a meeting with Rahul Gandhi regarding finalisation of the DCC presidents in Maharashtra.
