Maharashtra Polls: Congress Claims 'Crores Offered' To 2 MLAs To Join Ajit Pawar’s NCP, Asks ‘Why Is CM Silent?’

Maharashtra Congress alleges offers of bribes to join Ajit Pawar's NCP faction ahead of the state Assembly polls, questioning Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's role.

File photo of Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala.

Source : PTI

Congress' in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala, alleged on Saturday that large sums of money have reportedly been offered to two MLAs to join Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP ahead of Assembly polls.

The allegations were made by Chennithala while speaking to reporters in Delhi. He also raised questions against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also heads the home department.

"Reports are coming out that crores of rupees have been offered to two MLAs to join NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). It comes under anti-defection law. Why CM who is in charge of the home department is silent? CM has the responsibility to tell the people what has happened," Chennithala told news agency ANI.

Chennithala Says Accepting Bribes A Criminal Act

He added that offering and accepting bribes constitutes a criminal act. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction has not yet addressed these allegations, which surfaced just weeks before the Maharashtra Assembly polls on November 20.

The development came amid the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's upset over seat-sharing with MVA ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra, reported India Today quoting sources. The alliance has also agreed to an 85-85-85 seat-sharing formula. 

The ruling Mahayuti alliance and opposition MVA, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, and Congress, have ramped up preparations for the elections to the state's 288 Assembly seats. 

Along with the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, the BJP is also a part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Counting for all 288 constituencies for the Maharashtra Assembly elections is scheduled to be held on November 23.

Previously during the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP secured 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. While the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42 in the 2014 elections.