Kirit Somaiya accuses Sena (UBT) leaders of corruption; Uddhav's party refutes claims

Kirit Somaiya/ File Photo

On Monday, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya accused Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Sunil Raut of indulging in unethical practices outside a polling booth in Bhandup, Mumbai, where voting was taking place.

Somaiya, a former MP, also claimed that two Shiv Sena (UBT) activists were detained for using a phoney electronic voting system. MLA Sunil Raut, brother of Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, denied the claims, claiming that a dummy EVM was placed outside the 100-metre radius of the polling booth just for instructional purposes. He claimed the police took it under political pressure, reported PTI.

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According to the PTI report, the area in question is part of Mumbai's North East Lok Sabha constituency, where BJP candidate Mihir Kotecha is fighting against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sanjay Dina Patil. The final round of the general elections in Maharashtra began on Monday with voting in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies, including six in Mumbai.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Somaiya claimed that "Kanjur Police Station detained 2 Uddhav Thackeray Sena's Gundas from BMC Maidan Polling Station of Bhandup Gaon. They found involved in malpractices/corrupt practices at the polling station."

He further claimed, "Sanjay Raut & Sunil Raut found involved in Corrupt Practices outside their Polling Station at Bhandup Gaon. 2 Uddhav Thackeray Sena Activists arrested by Police for illegal, corrupt practices of using Fake EVM Machine with the name of Sanjay Dina Patil & MASHAL. FiR being registered."

In response, Sunil Raut told reporters that the dummy EVM was intended to help those unfamiliar with the voting process. He accused the local police of acting under political pressure and detaining their workers unjustly. Raut warned of a significant protest if their party's three workers were not released, alleging that the BJP, fearing electoral defeat, was using police force to exert pressure on them.

"However, the local police came under political pressure of the current dispensation and detained our workers," he claimed warning of a protest. He added, "The BJP has realised that it is losing this seat, hence it is using the police force to put pressure on us."