Maharashtra CM violated poll codes: Congress to EC
Mumbai, June 5: The Maharashtra Congress on Tuesday lodged a formal complaint alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the May 28 Lok Sabha by-elections in Palghar.
A three-page plea has been submitted to Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat in the Election Commission headquaters in New Delhi, said Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant.
It details various instances whereby Fadnavis allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct in force during the election, making announcements of various schemes, missing voters names and other discrepancies.
The plea has been sent in the name of the defeated Congress candidate in Palghar, Damodar Shingada, ex-MP, demanding strong action against Fadnavis and other concerned officials.
Shingada pointed out that during the election, the Congress complained to the Returning Officers several times regarding these violations but no action was taken against them by the EC.
Shingada highlighted Fadnavis' announcements promising waiver of 'khavati' loans and disbursal of new 'khavati' loans for tribals, a new medical college in Palghar, excluding 29 villages from the jurisdiction of Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation.
Then came Fadnavis' hugely controversial statements exhorting BJP workers to use "Saam Daam, Dand Bhed" to win Palghar elections at any cost, which Shingada described as a threat to 'the people and opposition parties', the instances of BJP workers caught distributing cash at the behest of local district party chief, and violation of the Rs 70 lakh spending limit by the winning BJP candidate Rajendra Gavit.
The plea also pointed out how a large number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) -- 282 in Palghar and 250 in Bhandara-Gondiya -- were down due to technical glitches for hours, the shocking instance of two Election Officers transporting the EVMs post-polling in a private car and names of many voters missing in Palghar.
The Congress complaint came six days after the Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray termed the Palghar Lok Sabha bypolls "a farce".
On May 31, Thackeray had charged that large-scale manipulations were carried out in the EVMs with the knowledge of the EC officials.
In the two Lok Sabha bypolls in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party retained the Palghar seat trouncing the main Sena rival, but it lost the Bhandara-Gondiya seat to the Nationalist Congress Party.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mangaluru’s Karavali Utsava is back; Cultural, beach events lined up, here’s the complete schedule
Mangaluru: This year’s Karavali Utsava will commence on December 20, with a wide range of cultural, adventure, and tourism-focused programs planned across Mangaluru and other parts of the Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said.
He was speaking while presiding over a Karavali Utsava preparedness review meeting held at the District Commissioner’s office.
The main event will be held at the Karavali Utsava grounds in the city. In an effort to promote beach tourism, special programs will be organised at six beaches across the district, which include Panambur, Ullal, Someshwara, Sasihitlu, Tannirbhavi, and the Blue Flag Beach.
ALSO READ: Udupi: Toddler slips from mother's hand while drawing water from well, dies
Outlining the schedule, the Deputy Commissioner said adventure sports will be held at Sasihitlu Beach, while a wine, cheese, and cake festival will take place at the Tannirbhavi Blue Flag Beach.
A music festival and triathlon are planned at Tannirbhavi Beach. Football, volleyball and other sports events will be organised at Ullal Beach, cultural programs at Panambur Beach, and a music evening and yoga program at Someshwara Beach.
In addition, food festivals featuring a variety of local and regional cuisines will be held at all beaches. The Kala Parba program and a flower and floriculture exhibition will be organised at Kadri Park, while a film festival is also planned in Mangaluru city.
A football tournament will be held at Nehru Maidan on December 27 and 28, and special programs will be organised at Pilikula Nisargadhama. To attract tourists, helicopter joyrides have also been arranged, the Deputy Commissioner said.
The review meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narvade Vinayak Karbari, Mangaluru Deputy Divisional Officer Meenakshi Arya, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mithun H.N., Deputy Conservator of Forests Antony Mariappa, and other officials.
