Over 200 Complaints Filed by NCP (SP) Against Ajit Pawar's Party for Election Malpractices

In a significant development amid the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharadchandra Pawar has filed over 200 complaints against the faction headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The complaints, lodged in the Baramati constituency, accuse the latter group of engaging in malpractices such as distributing cash to voters and intimidating them. This controversy has erupted in a region that is considered the stronghold of the Pawar family, with Sharad Pawar himself having represented Baramati multiple times and his daughter Supriya Sule currently serving as the MP since 2009.

Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the Sharad Pawar faction, highlighted these allegations through a social media post featuring a video of Indapur MLA Dattatray Bharne from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The video allegedly shows Bharne verbally abusing and threatening polling booth workers. The Sharad Pawar faction has taken this matter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing Bharne of unlawfully seizing control of a polling booth in Indapur.

The complaints filed by the NCP Sharadchandra Pawar faction (NCP SP) are not limited to verbal abuse and intimidation. Rohit Pawar stated that his party has lodged more than 150 serious complaints against the ruling NCP faction, with an additional 80 to 90 complaints related to cash distribution and voter intimidation. Kavita Dwivedi, the returning officer for Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, confirmed receiving several complaints from NCP SP, including allegations of cash distribution and voter intimidation.

In response to these allegations, Ajit Pawar dismissed the claims made by Rohit Pawar's faction. He suggested that Rohit Pawar's adeptness at social media might be influencing these allegations. Ajit Pawar also addressed a specific allegation regarding the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank (PDCC) in Bhor, urging for a check of CCTV footage and facts.

Amid these accusations, Pune police registered a non-cognisable offence against five individuals linked to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP for allegedly distributing cash to voters in Bhor town ahead of polling. Additionally, a case was registered against the manager of PDCC for keeping the bank open until midnight on Monday, just before polling day, raising suspicions under the model code of conduct.

This electoral controversy has cast a spotlight on Baramati, a constituency with deep political significance due to its association with the Pawar family. With both factions of the NCP trading accusations, the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies are now tasked with investigating these claims to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.