Shiv Sena compares Jain monk who asked people to vote for BJP to Zakir Naik

The Shiv Sena on Wednesday accused the BJP of winning the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation elections with the help of ‘money’ and ‘muni’. The statement comes after a Jain Monk in a YouTube video asking people to vote for the BJP.

"Using a religious personality to solicit votes is a clear violation of the election code of conduct. We have the tape recordings and we shall complain against the BJP to the central and state election commissions," party MP Sanjay Raut told media persons.

Raut said the BJP's victory in MBMC is "a blot on the state's culture" and earlier only the Jama Masjid Imams used such "fatwas" like the one by the Jain Muni in the civic body polls. "Those who issue such 'fatwas' are political goons and I compare him with Zakir Naik. There is a danger to law and order on account of such religious leaders," Raut said in a sharp attack.

However, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya dismissed these allegations and said the Sena is being left insecure because of the heavy defeat they suffered.

The BJP won 61 seats in the 95-seat MBMC, while Shiv Sena came second with just 22 seats. The NCP, Raj Thackeray's MNS and Hitendra Thakur's Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi weren't able to win a single seat in Mira-Bhayandar.