BJP-Shinde disturbing money through door to door campaign, says Shiv Sena Sanjay Raut

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday slammed the State Election Commission (SEC) for allowing door-to-door campaigning even after the official campaign period ended on Tuesday evening.Raut alleged that although campaigning had officially ended, money was being distributed in the form of sarees, newspapers and packets through door-to-door visits by candidates of the ruling parties. He said election rules were being violated in Maharashtra ahead of the Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for January 15. Raut further alleged that illegally obtained money was being distributed through door-to-door campaigns even after the formal campaign period ended on Tuesday evening. He accused the SEC of facilitating what he termed ‘Laxmi Darshan’ by allowing such campaigning to continue.“Campaign has ended but SEC has given a different Tilgul to the ruling parties of Maharashtra. Even after the campaign period ended, they can still campaign door to door. Once the campaign ends, it ends. This was the convention. But suddenly, the SEC has made this announcement. Candidates can go door to door. Money is being distributed..through sarees and newspapers and packets. So to facilitate this, the SEC announced the new rule. Those who distribute money are being helped. This distribution program will continue throughout the day on Wednesday. BJP and Shinde Sena cannot win the election without stoking Hindus- Muslim sentiments and without money and misuse of state machinery and power,” Raut said.He further alleged that the ruling parties could not win elections without misusing power.“Those people (BJP-Sena) cannot win the election without misusing power. They have no ideology. That is why Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have given orders to beat up people who distribute money. SEC has marked Wednesday as the day for Lakshmi Darshan for the ruling party. Only Shinde, BJP and Ajit Pawar have money,” Raut said.Raut also referred to statements made by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar regarding money generation.“Ajit Pawar said how money is generated through files. This is true for Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and other Ministers. What is SEC and Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) doing? If Ajit Pawar said he got a file..Ajit Pawar should not give us riddles in the Fadnavis govt. He must come clean. Even Ganesh Naik must not make veiled threats about Eknath Shinde. He must speak openly and not resort to blackmailing. This is wrong..Ajit Pawar and Ganesh Naik, if they have any information about the loot taking place, then they must bring this into public domain,” Raut said.While the SEC has prohibited candidates from using loudspeakers and campaigning in large groups during door-to-door canvassing, it has allowed limited personal campaigning even after the end of the public campaign period.Other opposition parties have also criticised the SEC’s decision, saying the relaxation weakens existing restrictions and allows candidates to continue campaigning in person despite the formal end of public canvassing.