Milind Deora's speech on Jains and Shiv Sena invites police case

MUMBAI: The Election Commission (EC) on Friday asked the police to file a case against Milind Deora, Congress candidate from Mumbai South

Lok Sabha

constituency, for a statement about Jains and the Shiv Sena at a recent public meeting in Bhuleshwar.


Advocate Dharmendra Mishra, who first complained about the matter to the chief electoral officer of the state, had demanded a first information report (FIR) against Deora, saying the Congress candidate had given a misleading speech on April 2 at the south Mumbai public meeting.

In his complaint, Mishra said: "Deora made a false statement that Shiv Sena has been involved in anti-minority activities and that its members had cooked meat outside a Jain temple during Paryushan. This is deliberately pulling down Shiv Sena's image among its voters by making a false statement, which is a violation of the model code of conduct and a punishable offence."

After conducting a primary investigation, Shivaji Jondhale, district election officer, instructed the police to file a complaint against Deora under the Representation of People Act 1951. "We found primarily that there is violation of model code of conduct, hence we instructed the police department to file a police case against Deora," Jondhale said. He said that the LT Marg police station would conduct further inquiry into the matter.

Deora's speech had appealed to people not to vote for the Sena candidate. "Shiv Sena has been against the minorities. A few years ago, the party insulted the Jain religion by cooking meat outside Jain temples during Paryushan. Remember, you have to teach them a lesson through your votes," he had reportedly said.

Shiv Sena candidate from Mumbai South Arvind Sawant said the case was vindication of the Shiv Sena.

"Now, they have been exposed for making misleading remarks on the Shiv Sena," Sawant said.

The Lok Sabha polls for 48 parliamentary seats in the state began on April 11. It has been staggered in four phases till April 29 and the results will be declared on May 23.