‘Don’t Eat For 2 Days If Your Parents Don’t Vote For Me’: Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena's MLA Tells Students

A video is doing round the internet showing Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde fraction's lawmaker from Kalamnuri constituency Santosh Bangar allegedly asking children not to eat for two days if their parents don't vote to support him in the upcoming elections.

According to the video, the MLA made children repeat after him that they would not eat anything and tell their parents to vote, support and elect this time in Marathi.

"If your parents don't vote for me in the next election, don't eat for two days," Bangar said.

The viral video shows MLA Bangar addressing students of Zilla Parishad school, and wooing the students to tell their parents to "vote for Santosh Bangar, only then will we eat."

Dont eat for 2-days if your parents dont vote for me Shiva Sena party leader says to children.

Shiva Sena MLA : Santosh Bangar.#ShivaSena #SantoshBangar#Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/0rPw7RV6xK

— _Prashu_ (@PRASHU_PP) February 10, 2024

The incident happened a week after the state election commission issued stringent directives against the use of children in poll promotions.

According to the directives of the Election Commission, any candidate contesting elections or any political figures are prohibited from using children for poll-related activities as it violates certain provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986.

"What Bangar told the school children goes against the directive of the Election Commission, therefore, strict action must be taken against him. He is a repeat offender and goes scot-free as he is an ally of the BJP. The Commission must act against him without prejudice," said NCP-SP spokesperson Clyde Crasto.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has urged the Election Commission to take cognizance of the matter and take action as per the law against Shiv Sena MLA.

Congressman also slammed the state education minister for being quiet on the situation and wrongdoings of his mate.