Cops unable to control crowd accompanying NCP candidate Harshada Wanjale who filed her nomination paper
Cops unable to control crowd accompanying NCP candidate Harshada Wanjale who filed her nomination paperu00a0
An inadequate police force had a tough time handling hundreds of NCP workers who tried to enter into the premises of the office of Returning Officer (RO) when its candidate Harshada Wanjale filed her nomination for the Khadakwasla bypoll to be held on October 13.u00a0 The only two lady constables present at the entrance of the RO office were unable to control the number of women party workers who came to support Wanjale.
On a roll: (From left) NCP MP Supriya Sule accompanies Harshada
Wanjale while she files her nomination papers for the Khadakwasla
bypoll. Mayor Mohan Singh Rajpal looks on. pic/Krunal Gosavi The situation become uncontrollable for the police, when, at 12.15 am, Wanjale came to RO office with her hundreds of over-enthusiastic party workers who were shouting slogans and tried to enter the premises. Police officials repeatedly told the workers that only four people could accompany the candidate; however, all the orders fell on deaf ears. At last Mayor Mohan Singh Rajpal requested the party workers to follow the rule of State Election Commission.u00a0
Ranjeet Pardeshi, organisational secretary of NCP, said: "Every worker was trying to get into touch with Wanjale. They came to support her, so it is quite obvious that there was a rush. I don't think that there was any chaotic situation created by the party workers."
Bundgarden Police Inspector Ukhaji Sonawane refuted all the allegations and said there was enough police presence at the Collector's office. He added that at the time of nomination, some 100 policemen, including 20 women constables were present. When reminded that there were only two constables at the gate from when the candidate entered he said the lady constables were appointed at different entry points.
PI Sonawane said there was no chaos and said that there was a difference between enthusiasm and chaos and supporters were enthusiastic and not chaotic. He further added that there was no law and order problem at the Collector's office.u00a0
In the meantime, Wanjale didn't file her nomination at 10.11 am which was supposed to be the right muhurat. The party workers held the traffic snarls responsible for her late arrival to file the nomination. The official candidate of BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, Bhimrao Tapkir, has also filed his nomination. He was accompanied by party's senior member Prakash Javadekar and Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe. Congress rebel candidate Shrirang Chavan has filed his nomination as an independent candidate.
Relative calm
BJP, a party with a difference seems to be the party with discipline. Bhimrao Tapkir, official candidate of BJP-Shiv Sena, came with the city chief of party unit Vikas Mathkari, senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar, MLA Girish Bapat and Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe to file his nomination. The workers seemed to be quite disciplined and cooperated with the police.u00a0
BJP leader dies
Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar who accompanied BJP-Shiv Sena candidate, Bhimrao Tapkir for filing his nomination for the Khadakwasla bypoll held responsible the government at the Centre for the death of Rajbala, who was injured in a police crackdown against yoga guru Baba Ramdev's fast at Ramlila Maidan. Rajbala died yesterday in Delhi after battling for life for about four months.u00a0
