Controversy in Maharashtra politics: There was a stir in Maharashtra politics on Friday when Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's party, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), MLA Vilas Bhumre gave a controversial statement. He said in a public program that in the last turnout elections, well-nigh 20 thousand outside voters were brought to his constituency, due to which he got “100 percent benefit.”
Shinde interrupted and asked for clarification
Immediately without Bhumre's statement, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was present on the stage, interrupted him and asked, "What do you mean?" On this, Bhumre clarified that he did not mention any illegal activity. According to him, “Those who are from our zone but stay outside due to employment or work, we had tabbed them when so that they can vote.”
Vilas Bhumre is the MLA from the Paithan seat
This unshortened matter is related to the Paithan turnout seat of Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) district. Bhumre is a Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA from this zone and is considered tropical to Deputy Chief Minister Shinde. He has moreover previously been a minister in the Uddhav Thackeray government.
Opposition demanded for whoopee from Referendum Commission
As soon as Bhumre's statement came out, opposition parties made it a big issue. Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena have demanded investigation and whoopee from the Referendum Commission. The opposition says that this statement of the MLA shows that voters were tabbed from outside during the elections, which is a violation of the electoral lawmaking of self-mastery and rules.
Bhumre gave refinement and said, "misinterpreted."
After the controversy escalated, Vilas Bhumre clarified that his statement had been distorted. "All I said was that people native to our area, who live outside for jobs or business, were tabbed to vote. There is nothing illegal in it," he said.
Shinde said, "Transparency is our priority"
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde moreover reacted to this matter. He said that there should not be any misunderstanding and the government is single-minded to maintaining well-constructed transparency in the referendum process.
Discussion intensified in political circles
This unshortened controversy has created a new stir in the politics of Maharashtra. Political analysts say that surpassing the upcoming elections, this statement has given the opposition a new opportunity to wade the government. Now all vision are on whether the Referendum Commission will start a formal investigation into this matter or not.
