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Journalism of Courage
Supriya Sule, the NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidate from Baramati for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, called upon the police and election machinery to ensure that voting takes place in a transparent and fair manner even as a case was registered at Bhor in the constituency over alleged distribution of cash to voters on Monday night.
Sule was speaking after casting her vote in Baramati town along with several members of her family on Tuesday.
“Last night, I was getting calls from party workers in Bhor, Velha, and Baramati until 2 am about rivals indulging in unfair means… We have also shared photographs and videos about it which bear the time stamp. In a democracy, it is important that elections take place in a fair, just and peaceful manner. Three-four incidents were brought to my notice yesterday and we hope the administration will probe those,” said Sule.
Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh said some people who were allegedly distributing cash in Bhor “were intercepted by locals and the incident was reported to the police. After the people were caught distributing money, an altercation broke out.” He added that an offence has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections 171E and a probe has been launched.
NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar had on Monday night shared videos which, he claimed, showed workers of the rival group distributing cash for votes in a village in Bhor tehsil and being confronted by Sule’s supporters.
Speaking to reporters after casting his vote on Tuesday morning, Rohit alleged that cash was being distributed by Ajit Pawar’s supporters but said that the voters will not be swayed by money power.
A day ago, Sule had written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to declare four Assembly segments as sensitive areas and depute extra security as there were fears that her opponents may resort to unfair means in polling booths.
In a communication to the district election office and the returning officer for the ECI, Sule said, “From the information I have, a large possibility for irregularities cannot be ruled out in polling booths in the Assembly segments of Baramati, Daund, Indapur and Khadakwasla.”
Speaking to mediapersons after voting, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whose wife Sunetra is contesting against Supriya Sule, had rubbished the claims. “There is no truth in those. The video showing the Pune District Co-operative Bank open late into the night could be old,” he said.
