BMC polls: BJP holds conference after campaign period but avoids EC rap

On Sunday evening at 6:30 PM, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandhari conducted a press conference to speak about the allegations made by Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale. Sunday is the last day for campaigning for civic polls and 5 PM is the deadline for the same. According to EC’s model code of conduct, any comment in public about political parties which may influence the voters is not permitted.

Technically, the BJP’s press conference, which was held in the evening would be a violation of the code of conduct since the polling date begins on February 21. However, when DNA contacted the state election commission’s senior officers, they said that the press conference by Bhandari was conducted in the afternoon and wasn’t a violation. Meanwhile, state election commissioner JS Saharia told DNA that the matter is under the purview of commissioner, Ajoy Mehta.

On Sunday in a press conference, Rahul Shewale had alleged that BJP MLA Aashish Shelar was a ‘match-fixer’ after announcing the BJP would win 114 seats in the BMC polls and also questioned CM Devendra Fadnavis of meeting some people on the night of demonetization announcement on November 8.