Mumbai: Controversies have emerged in Maharashtra ahead of the state’s November 20 assembly election, the functions of the Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, which the opposition parties have accused of pro-BJP bias. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has accused Shukla of having organised phone tapping of opposition leaders earlier and of misusing the police power in the election process.
Raut said, “The elections in Maharashtra are being conducted police pressure.” Several party workers are being falsely implicated while bogus voters are enrolled with fake identity cards.” He accused Shukla of bias saying that the activities that he accuses her of partisanship are precluding a fair electoral process.
Raut took it a notch higher by questioning Shukla’s capacity as the EC in charge of the election. “Some of the things that have been levelled against DGP Rashmi Shukla are very serious. “Can we expect free and fair elections under someone with such a record?” he asked, only adding that she is likely to influence the process. The Shiv Sena MP accused the EC of not paying heed to the opposition demands of Shukla’s transfer and said although Jharkhand DGP was replaced, the EC did not respond to the demands to replace Shukla in Maharashtra.
In another but connected demand, the Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole has written to the Election Commission demanding the removal of Shukla. Patole claimed that it has become a contentious point for Shukla to remain in the office and said that she is a ‘biassed officer’ who has unfavourable view to the BJP.
Some of the other concerns noted by Patole were worry over what he believes was selective action by the EC. The EC dismissed Congress’s appeal to suspend Shukla but complied with the BJP’s demand to shift top police officers in states ruled by the opposition parties including West Bengal and election-bound Jharkhand, he pointed out.
Leading up to the voting day on November 20, calls for the sacking of DGP Shukla have become louder and more frequent. Scribes will be looking to see as to whether the Election Commission will act on the call of the opponents or whether the Maharashtra polls will take place under the present police control. And the winner of the election is expected to be announced on the 23rd of November.
Issues of political interference and correctness in the state of Maharashtra have been major points of discussion especially with relation to election and the allegations against Shukla are therefore a confirmation of this. These problems persist to develop and create another twist to an already intense electoral contest.
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