Madhya Pradesh: Congress asks EC to probe BJP MLA’s poll expenses

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Tuesday complained to the Election Commission against BJP MLA from Mhow, Usha Thakur, and demanded an investigation into her election expenditure in the 2018 assembly polls.
Congress’ complaint comes in the wake of a statement given by BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya during a TV interview that he spent money in Mhow to help Usha Thakur win the election.
Congress legal cell chief J P Dhanopia on Tuesday took the complaint to the EC. “A major revelation was made on June 22, 2020, when BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya’s comment went viral. The BJP leader admitted that he spent a sizable amount of money and engaged in election management till 2am to make the candidate win,” the Congress letter says.
Congress claims Thakur has not provided to EC details of the expenditure claimed by Vijayvargiya. “It seems much more money was spent in the constituency for elections, which was against the rules,” Congress said, urging EC to ask Kailash Vijayvargiya and Usha Thakur for “complete details of expenditure”.
If it’s found to be more than the permitted limit, Thakur’s membership as legislator should be annulled and she should be disqualified from contesting polls in the future, Congress demands.
Vijayvargiya has represented Mhow assembly seat twice (2008 and 2013). Thakur earlier represented Indore-3. In 2018, Vijayvargiya wanted his son Akash to contest from Indore-3, which Thakur reportedly opposed. She was shifted to Mhow, which she won by around 7,100 votes.