Sena candidate Nitin Patil and independent nominee Ravi Patil on Sunday alleged that BJP workers supporting candidate Arya Natekar distributed money along with campaign leaflets at a building in Tukaramnagar, under the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) limits in Maharashtra's Thane district
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Shiv Sena candidates have accused workers of their Mahayuti ally, the BJP, of distributing cash to voters ahead of the January 15 Kalyan Dombivli civic polls, a charge denied by the saffron party, reported news agency PTI.
Sena candidate Nitin Patil and independent nominee Ravi Patil on Sunday alleged that BJP workers supporting candidate Arya Natekar distributed money along with campaign leaflets at a building in Tukaramnagar, under the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) limits in Maharashtra's Thane district, reported PTI.
A heated confrontation broke out between workers of the two ruling allies, prompting police intervention.
In ward no. 29 of KDMC, the Shiv Sena and BJP, which are allies in the Mahayuti government, are fighting the elections against each other. In other wards, there is an alliance between the two parties, reported PTI.
BJP Kalyan district president Nandu Parab termed the allegations "false and baseless." He claimed that Shiv Sena workers had "forcibly stuffed money" into the hands of BJP activists to frame them and create a controversy, reported PTI.
Shiv Sena sub-district chief Rajesh Kadam, however, said, "The incident is unfortunate. We believe alliance partners should follow ethical principles during the campaign," reported PTI.
Following the clash, the Ramnagar police took several individuals to the local police station for questioning and later let them off. The police also seized the materials for investigation, reported PTI.
Election flying squads were also briefed, and officials were reviewing video footage of the incident to determine if any poll rules were violated.
Mira Bhayander will turn 'saffron' after civic polls: Eknath Shinde
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that after Mumbai and Thane, the state's Mira Bhayander city is all set to be painted "saffron" in the upcoming municipal elections, reported PTI.
The Shiv Sena (then undivided) had won the Brihanmumbai and Thane municipal corporation polls in 2017.
Addressing a public meeting following a roadshow on Sunday, Shinde emphasised the late (Shiv Sena founder) Balasaheb Thackeray's affection for the city, calling Mira Bhayander a "mini India" where Shiv Sena's strength lies in taking along all communities, including North Indian, Gujarati, and South Indian, reported PTI.
Polls to 29 municipal corporations in the state, inclusing Mumbai, Thane and Mira Bhayander, are scheduled on January 15.
The Shiv Sena and BJP, which are allies in the state Mahayuti government, are fighting against each other in the 95-member Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), located in Thane district.
"Balasaheb loved Mira Bhayander. Mumbai is saffron, Thane is saffron and now Mira Bhayander will also be saffron," Shinde said.
He said the overwhelming turnout was not just a campaign gathering but a "harbinger of victory." He appealed to the electorate to vote for the Shiv Sena's 'bow and arrow' symbol on January 15.
"Seeing such a large crowd, the Opposition must have felt a lump in their stomachs. The sand beneath their feet has shifted," Shinde remarked.
The Shiv Sena has fielded 81 candidates in the MBMC. Expressing confidence in his party's victory, Shinde said, "81 is our lucky number nine. Making the impossible possible is the identity of Shiv Sena."
Highlighting the developmental work carried out by the Mahayuti government, he noted that Rs 1,871 crore was provided to the Mira Bhayander city over the last three years.
Shinde also praised the leadership of the state minister and Shiv Sena's Thane MLA Pratap Sarnaik, under whose jurisdiction Mira Bhayander falls.
(With inputs from PTI)
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