Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said the Election Commission of India had become a caged parrot and a sham and accused it of "turning a blind eye" to the actions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reported news agency PTI.

In his weekly column 'Rokthok' in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana', Rautaccused the BJP of resorting to religious propaganda to "bribe" voters after losing ground in five states where Assembly polls are being held (in November), reported PTI.