Send Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangar to jail, says Supriya Sule after video shows him instructing woman in polling booth

Sule said she entered politics to serve the people, not to indulge in such a violation of the rules. ”Such a scenario is disturbing.  I have not entered politics for personal gain but to serve the people. But what I am noticing is very painful,” she said.

The Hingoli police Tuesday filed an FIR against Bangar for allegedly compromising election secrecy. Reacting to the FIR filed against Bangar, Fadnavis said such behaviour damaged the credibility of the electoral process.

”I think at least people’s representatives should show respect to democracy. They should think about how they are behaving during elections and what message they are sending among the people,” he said.

The alleged violation of the norm took place at a polling booth in the Kalamnuri area of the Hingoli district. In a viral video, Bangar is seen instructing a woman voter on how to vote. He allegedly directed the woman voter to press a specific button.

He has also been accused of sloganeering and using his mobile phone. The Hingoli election officials said the FIR was filed following a thorough investigation into the violations. The collectorate announced that a report will be submitted to the State Election Commission.

Voting took place in 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats as part of the first phase of Maharashtra local body elections Tuesday. The counting will be held on December 21 after polling in some municipal councils and nagar panchayats has been postponed to December 20.