ECI Probes Complaint Against Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s tirade against the Election Commission (EC) will be investigated by the central poll authority. The Maharashtra election commission has sent the draft English translation of Thackeray’s statements on May 20 to the Election Commission of India.

In the press conference held on the last polling day in the state, the Shiv Sena UBT chief had alleged that the EC was biased and the Narendra Modi government was using the election body as its ‘house help.’ He had alleged that the voting process in Mumbai was slowed deliberately in order to frustrate people who would be against the Modi government.The BJP has filed a complaint claiming Thackeray has breached the model code of conduct by holding a press conference while the voting was still on and by casting aspersions on the EC.

“By making baseless allegations against the EC and the BJP, Thackeray has violated the code of conduct. He also made false and misleading statements in the press conference,” said BJP leader Ashish Shelar in his complaint.

Following BJP’s complaint, the central poll agency had written a letter to the state election commission seeking details about what exactly happened in the press conference.

The English translated draft of the press conference has been sent to the ECI. It will scrutinise things like whether there was any controversial statement made, whether the code of conduct was breached in the press conference and then further steps will be taken, said sources.

BJP legislator Pravin Darekar said, “It is a breach of model code of conduct to make statements that will influence the voters while the voting process is on. There is a merit in the complaint filed by Ashish Shelar and the ECI has taken cognisance of it. The ECI will take action against Uddhav Thackeray as per its rules. Law is the same for everyone and nobody is above the law, including Uddhav Thackeray.”