The Congress party has escalated its political battle in Maharashtra by filing a formal complaint with the State Election Commission against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' private secretary, alleging serious violations of election conduct rules.
Congress Accuses CM's Aide of Election Rule Violations
In a significant development that could intensify political tensions in Maharashtra, the Congress party has demanded immediate action against Vidyadhar Mahale, the private secretary to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The complaint, submitted to the State Election Commission (SEC), alleges that Mahale has been openly campaigning for BJP candidates in the ongoing Chikhli municipal council elections, which constitutes a clear violation of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) rules of 1979.
The political significance of this allegation is heightened by the fact that Mahale's wife, Shweta Mahale, currently serves as a BJP MLA from the Chikhli constituency in Buldhana district of west Vidarbha. This connection has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the appropriate conduct of government officials during election periods.
Details of the Formal Complaint
The complaint was formally lodged by former Congress MLA Rahul Bondre and the party's candidate for the president post of Chikhli municipal council, Kashinath Bondre. Both leaders have presented what they describe as compelling evidence of Mahale's inappropriate political involvement.
According to the Congress leaders, Mahale has not only been actively campaigning for BJP candidates in the current municipal council elections but had previously engaged in similar activities during the 2024 assembly polls when he campaigned for his wife in the Chikhli assembly constituency. The complaint specifically mentions that evidence of these activities is readily available on social media platforms.
The Congress document raises serious concerns about the election commission's ability to act impartially, suggesting that Mahale's proximity to the Chief Minister might be creating pressure on election officials to avoid taking appropriate action against him.
Demands for Immediate Action
The Congress party has put forward two specific demands in their complaint to the State Election Commission. First, they have requested that the SEC issue orders to station Mahale at the state headquarters until the completion of the ongoing elections to ensure that the electoral process remains free and fair.
Second, the party has explicitly demanded that disciplinary action be initiated against Mahale for his alleged violations of the conduct rules governing civil servants. This move represents a direct challenge to the administration and could have significant implications for the political landscape in the region.
Mahale's Defense and Counter-Arguments
When contacted about the allegations, Vidyadhar Mahale offered a detailed rebuttal, describing the Congress complaint as "misleading" and factually inaccurate. He clarified that the program in question was actually a Deepavali Milan event organized by the Ambika Urban Credit Society on November 1.
Mahale emphasized that this event occurred well before the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct on November 8, making the allegations chronologically invalid. He maintained that his participation was limited to speaking about government schemes and development initiatives, not campaigning for any political party or candidate.
"I did not campaign for any party but spoke only about the government schemes. A complaint has been made with the State Election Commission and it will be probed," Mahale stated, expressing confidence that the investigation would clear him of any wrongdoing.
SEC Response and Next Steps
Sources within the State Election Commission have confirmed that the complaint has been officially received and is under active consideration. An SEC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the contents of the complaint will be thoroughly reviewed before any decision is made.
"The contents of the complaint will be reviewed and appropriate decision will be taken," the official stated, highlighting the commission's commitment to following due process in addressing the serious allegations.
The timing of this complaint is particularly significant as it comes during ongoing local body polls in Maharashtra, where both major political parties are engaged in intense competition for control of municipal councils and other local governing bodies.
This development adds another layer of complexity to the political dynamics in Maharashtra, where the ruling coalition and opposition parties have been locked in frequent confrontations over various governance and electoral matters. The outcome of the SEC's investigation could have broader implications for how election conduct rules are enforced against government officials in the future.
