Maharashtra Polls: BJP's Mumbai unit chief replies to EC notice

In a reply to the show-cause notice issued by the Election Commission (EC) for his alleged communal speech, Mumbai BJP chief Mangal Prabhat Lodha said on Saturday that his remarks were misrepresented and exaggerated. Earlier, on Thursday, the EC issued the notice in relation to a speech Lodha delivered at a rally on October 16 in support of the Mumbadevi candidate Pandurang Sakpal. Referring to instances of riots and terror attacks, he purportedly claimed that bombs and bullets were manufactured in the lanes within 5 km of the meeting venue, making a shameful communal implication. Sakpal and the organizer of the rally were also issued show-cause notices.  

Read: Maharashtra Polls: BJP's Pankaja Munde Faints During A Campaign Rally

Amin Patel expresses displeasure

Lodha, who is a five-term serving legislator from the Malabar Hill constituency also allegedly said that the incumbent Member of Legislative Assembly Amin Patel only looked at the interests of “one particular community”. Responding to this, Patel expressed strong displeasure on Lodha’s remarks. Moreover, he called upon the EC to take appropriate action.  

Read: EC Notice To BJP Mumbai Chief Lodha For Shocking Communal Speech

Read: Maharashtra Polls: Election Commission Seizes Rs. 4 Cr Cash From Worli

The upcoming Assembly elections 

State Assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, along with bypolls in several other states were announced in September. The total strength of the Maharashtra Assembly is 288, out of which 9 seats are reserved for SC and 5 for the ST category. In total, Maharashtra has 8.94 crore registered voters, out of which 1.16 lakh are service voters. While the voting will take place on October 21, the results will be declared on October 24.  The Malabar Hill seat will see a face-off between Lodha and the Congress candidate, Heera Navaji Devasi. According to the Republic-Jan Ki Baat Opinion poll, the BJP is poised to form the government on its own, with a projection of 142 to 147 seats for the party alone. 

Read: Maharashtra Opinion Poll: BJP Projected For Single-majority On Its Own