Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019: Car of BJP's Ghatkopar East Candidate Parag Shah Vandalised by 'Supporters' of Sitting MLA Prakash Mehta
Despite pressure being exerted by Mehta's supporters, the party is unlikely to rescind Shah's nomination. Sources within the Mumbai unit of the BJP said Mehta would not be granted the ticket. 'The decision is final. Today is the last date for filing of nomination,' said a source on condition of anonymity.
Mumbai, October 4: In an incident of poll-related violence, alleged supporters of sitting MLA Prakash Mehta vandalised the car of Parag Shah, the party candidate from Ghatkopar East. The incident was reported in the early hours of Friday. Preliminary reports could not confirm whether an FIR has been registered. The Election Commission officials have begun an inquiry into the case. BJP 3rd List of Candidates For Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019 Out: Check Seat-Wise Names.
Shah was chosen as the candidate in place of Mehta by the BJP leadership. Pollsters have attributed the decision to Mehta's alleged involvement in a "scam" related to the Slum Development Authority (SRA) programme.
Mehta, who was serving as the State Housing Minister, was sacked from the Cabinet last year. The measure was taken after the Opposition, led by the Congress-NCP combine, demanded the ouster of Mehta.
Update by ANI:
Mehta has been winning the Ghatkopar seats for six consecutive times, as is seen among the most consistent winners of the BJP from Mumbai region.
Despite pressure being exerted by Mehta's supporters, the party is unlikely to rescind Shah's nomination. Sources within the Mumbai unit of the BJP said Mehta would not be granted the ticket. "The decision is final. Today is the last date for filing of nomination," said a source on condition of anonymity.
Voting across the 288 assembly segments of Maharashtra would be held in a single-phase on October 21. Results of the elections will be declared by the Election Commission on October 21. The battle is primarily stacked up between the ruling coalition of BJP-Shiv Sena and the Opposition alliance of Congress-NCP.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2019 01:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).