Shiv Sena leader alleges distribution of money in some civic wards in Pune by rival candidates

Pune, Jan 13 (PTI) Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe on Tuesday said money was distributed in some civic wards in Pune ahead of the January 15 municipal corporation elections and sought the intervention of the State Election Commission.

Addressing a press conference after the campaigning for elections concluded. Gorhe said rival candidates in the fray against Shiv Sena nominees in Kausarbaug, Kondhwa, and Katraj resorted to distributing money and intimidation to influence the voters.

"We have received complaints from some wards about the distribution of money, intimidation by some of the rivals contesting against our party workers. The election commission should take cognisance of these complaints and take action," Gorhe said.

Gorhe has directed Shiv Sena candidates from these areas to approach the respective deputy commissioners of police and lodge complaints.

She said that although officials posted in areas where money distribution had occurred in the previous elections were transferred, their "activities" had merely shifted elsewhere.

"The records of officials transferred over the past six months should be scrutinised. Complete transparency must be ensured at polling stations," she added.

Mahayuti allies, the Shiv Sena, BJP, and the NCP, are contesting separately in the Pune municipal corporation elections.

Gorhe said elections cannot be won by distributing money, noting that Congress would have never lost had that been the case.

Gorhe said the disbursement of December's instalment under the Ladki Bahin scheme has begun, and there is no impediment from the Election Commission in this regard.

"The Congress is opposing the scheme, and women should identify their real opponents," Gorhe said. PTI SPK NSK