BJP reviews poll readiness in all Maharashtra seats amid tie-up delay

The ruling BJP held a review of preparedness in all the 288 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra amid delay in finalising a tie-up with the Shiv Sena for the October 21 polls, sources said on Friday. Maharashtra BJP leaders held consultations with the ruling party's Central leadership on poll preparedness in New Delhi on Thursday, they said. Senior Maharashtra BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the party's State Unit President, Chandrakant Patil, were present at the meeting, the sources said.

Maharashtra Polls: Election Officials Seize Rs 10 Lakh In Bhiwandi

BJP reviews poll readiness 

"A review of all the 288 assembly seats and preparations for the October 21 polls was taken at the meet," the sources said.

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The BJP and the Shiv Sena are locked in hard bargaining for distribution of seats among themselves and smaller partners of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The BJP is said to offer a maximum of 120 seats to the Shiv Sena. On the other hand, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party is insisting on equal distribution of seats and sharing of the Chief Minister's post for 2.5 years each between the saffron allies. A Sena leader had earlier said the party was willing to accept 135 seats. In 2014, both parties had contested the assembly polls separately with the BJP winning 122 seats and the Sena 63. Fadnavis took over as the first BJP Chief Minister on October 31, 2014, and the Sena joined his government in December that year.

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Cash seized in Maharashtra

Ahead of Maharashtra polls in October, Election authorities, on Friday, September 27, have seized Rs 10 lakh cash at a check post in Bhiwandi town of Thane district. The cash seizure came as a first after the announcement of the Maharashtra election dates on September 21. The authorities acted on a tip-off and intercepted the vehicle as it entered the power loom town. Upon searching the vehicle, over 10 lakh rupees were found in the car at the check post. 

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The driver of the vehicle, Suresh Dharmani had no explanation when asked about the source of the cash. The cash was later deposited in the treasury on the orders of Mohan Naladkar, the returning officer for the Bhiwandi (East) assembly constituency. Rajesh Narvekar, the Collector of Thane had earlier asked the officials to keep an eye on the movement of cash last week. In addition, he also ordered the banks to provide proper identification papers and letters to those transporting cash for loading in ATMs. Reportedly, Narvekar has instructed banks to monitor high-value transactions and asked them to report to the concerned authorities. He has said banks also need to monitor transactions made by friends and family members of the contesting candidates. 

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(With PTI Inputs)