EC notice to BJP Mumbai chief Lodha for shocking communal speech

On Thursday, the Election Commission (EC) issued a showcause notice to the chief of BJP’s Mumbai unit Mangal Prabhat Lodha. This is in relation to a speech he 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 showcause notices. 

Read: Maharashtra Polls: BJP Nominee Lodha Declares Assets Worth Rs 441 Cr

Suo moto cognizance 

The Mumbadevi Returning Officer Vishwas Gujar took suo moto action based on media reports and the recording of the speech, done by an EC team present at the venue between 5 pm and 10 pm. He stated that a response had been sought and the future course of action would be decided within 48 hours. In the speech, 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”. The Aam Aadmi Party contended that these remarks not only violated the Model Code of Conduct regulations but also attracted various sections of the Indian Penal Code related to hate speech.  

Read: Babanrao Lonikar Lands In A Fix, As Congress Files Petition To ECI

The Maharashtra Assembly election 

The Election Commission of India announced the state Assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, along with bypolls in several other states 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. 1.8 lakh ballot units, 1.28 lakh control units, and 1.39 lakh VVPATs will be used in the state. While the voting will take place on October 21, the results will be declared on October 24.  

Read: BJP Projected To Overcome Anti-incumbency, Sweep Maharashtra, Haryana

Jan Ki Baat Opinion poll 

According to the Republic-Jan Ki Baat Opinion poll, the BJP is projected to get 142 to 147 seats. Its alliance partner Shiv Sena is likely to bag 83 to 85 seats. On the other hand, Congress is projected to get 21 to 23 seats while the NCP is poised to do slightly better with 27 to 29 seats. 

Read: Narayan Rane Joins BJP, Merges His MSP Outfit With Saffron Party