AAP to move Election Commission against Pawar over ‘vote twice’ remark

Mumbai: Condemning Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar's statement asking his party workers to "vote twice" in upcoming polls, the AAP on Sunday said it would write to the Election Commission recommending strict action against the politician.

"Aam Admi Party will write to the Election Commission and ask them to take strict action against Pawar and his party NCP," a statement issued by Maharashtra unit of AAP said.

"Such brazen calls to indulge in corrupting our democratic processes must not go unpunished," said the statement signed by Preety Menon-Sharma, state unit secretary.

The statement further said AAP volunteers will keep a vigil this time in every single polling booth across Maharashtra to prevent "bogus voting" and will report to EC if it detects any such cases.

"We encourage all citizens to stay alert and make prompt complaints to the EC helpline," the statement said.

Earlier, Sharad Pawar asked his party workers to take advantage of the multi-phase polling in the state by voting twice, first at their hometowns and then at places of work.

"Last time (in 2009), the polling in Satara and Mumbai was on the same day and people went to their hometowns. But this time, polling in Satara is on April 17 and here on April 24," Pawar said, addressing a gathering of "mathadi" workers (head loaders) who hail from that district in Western Maharashtra.

"Vote for the clock (NCP symbol) there (in Satara) and come back to vote for the clock here as well," he said, to loud laughs at the gathering held in the APMC market here.

Pawar, the student union activist-turned-national leader, however, warned voters to take necessary precautions. "Do erase the ink mark which will be put when you vote
first," he said.

The NCP chief's remarks came a day after his party MLC Dhananjay Munde disclosed that in the 2009 polls, he had at the behest of his now estranged uncle and BJP leader Gopinath Munde, facilitated bogus voting in Beed district. "However, this time I will ensure that there is no bogus voting (in favour of my uncle)," Dhananjay had said.