Maha BJP chief says complaint against him of violating code of conduct 'politically motivated'

Mahatashtra BJP chief Raosaheb Danve on Monday dubbed the complaint of alleged violation of modal code of conduct levelled against him as "politically motivated."

Danve recently courted a controversy with his remark asking voters polls to accept 'Laxmi' (the goddess of wealth) during the civic polls. "On the eve of elections, Laxmi comes to your house and you should accept it," Danve had allegedly said during a civic poll campaign meeting at Paithan in Aurangabad on Saturday. Elections to municipal councils are being held in the state at present. The opposition Congress and some social activists had objected to Danve's remarks, saying it amounted to asking people to accept money during election campaign,and urged the State Election Commission to a register a case of violation of model code against him.

A notice was yesterday served to Danve by Returning Officer, Aurangabad,, and a report has been submitted to District Collector Nidhi Pandey. "We talk about Laxmi at least 25 times in a day and that does not mean money. The move is politically motivated and I have this morning replied to the notice. Now the ball is in the court of Election Commission and it will take final decision on it," Danve told PTI.

Asked about Shiv Sena's critcism against the comment of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that the ally should be ready to accept its development vision for forging a tie-up for Mumbai civic polls, the BJP leader said "Now we have got used to this kind of criticism and we take it as a mark of appreciation."