Lure voters by gifts: Chandrakant Patil

Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil has yet again created controversy by asking BJP party workers to visit the voters’ household and offer them gifts in return of votes in the local body elections. 

Speaking at the party workers meeting in Sangli, he added that the same practice could be implemented in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. 

“We have enough budget provision,” said the BJP minister. 

The opposition slammed Patil and demanded his resignation. 

“We will complain to the Election Commission for violating the election code of conduct openly. BJP wants to win elections by buying the voters,” said Sachin Sawant, the spokesperson of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).

“In the next four months, BJP workers should visit the voters’ household at least 3-4 times. We should get their contact number and develop a relationship with them,” Patil instructed his party workers.  

Nawab Malik, NCP spokesperson said that the BJP had made a mockery of democracy. “Election is game for them which is to be won by hook or by crook,” he added. 

Malik said that while on one hand, Devendra Fadnavis emphasized on compulsory voting, the BJP minister has been trying to win votes by offering gifts. “However, voters are smart enough to understand their tricks.”