Palghar Bypoll: Shiv Sena goes to EC, demands disqualification of candidate for 'bribing voters'

The Shiv Sena on Saturday wrote to the Election Commission accusing the BJP of trying to "bribe" voters ahead of the May 28 by-election for Palghar Lok Sabha constituency.

In the letter to the EC, Sena MLA Amit Ghoda alleged that "distribution of cash to the voters to bribe them to vote for BJP candidate" was going on.

Those distributing the cash were caught by Sena workers, and a flying squad of the Election Commission had conducted a panch-nama (spot inspection), he said.

It was "gross violation of election code of conduct" and therefore the BJP candidate (Rajendra Gavit) should be disqualified, the letter said.

BJP spokesperson was not immediately available for comments. Both parties have run an acrimonious campaign for the by-poll, levelling accusations at each other.

On Saturday, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray released an audio clip purportedly of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, days before the Palghar bypoll, accusing the CM of asking BJP workers to use all possible means to win the by-election. Fadnavis soon hit back with another audio clip claiming it to be the "full version" of the "twisted clip" released by Sena.