Post-Campaign Clashes and Cash Seizures Disrupt Navi Mumbai Civic Polls
Campaigning for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation election concluded on Tuesday at 5.30 pm. The quiet did not last long. Two separate incidents of skirmishes between rival party workers erupted in Airoli and Ghansoli shortly after.
Violent Confrontations in Ghansoli and Airoli
In Ghansoli, a skirmish occurred around 2.30 am on Wednesday. Groups of BJP and Shiv Sena workers clashed. Former mayor Sagar Naik was present at the scene. He is the nephew of forest minister Ganesh Naik.
In Airoli, another incident unfolded on Wednesday. Shiv Sena candidates M K Madhvi, his wife Vinaya, and son Karan allegedly manhandled some youths in Sector 16. The family claimed the youths were workers of rival candidates. They accused them of deliberately defaming the Madhvi family by spreading false information.
A video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, M K Madhvi is seen arguing with a police officer. The Rabale police detained Madhvi, his wife Vinaya, and son Karan. They escorted the family to the police station.
Balkrushna Sawant is the senior inspector of Rabale. He confirmed that an FIR has been registered against M K Madhvi, his wife Vinaya, and son Karan.
Cash Rumors and a Major Seizure
Besides these violent incidents, a separate event involved cash rumors. BJP workers intercepted a car near Noor Masjid in Sector 9, Vashi. They claimed crores of rupees were being brought in the car of a Shiv Sena activist. The money was allegedly for cash distribution to voters.
A verbal spat ensued between the BJP and Shiv Sena workers. A police team reached the spot and pacified the two groups. Former mayor Sagar Naik and Thane MP Naresh Mhaske also arrived. They came in support of their respective workers.
The police checked the car in the presence of the returning officer. They found no cash inside the vehicle. Officials concluded that the rumor of huge cash in the car was false.
In a related development, the election commission's flying squad made a significant seizure. In Kharghar Sector 20, they seized Rs 20 lakh in cash on Wednesday. The cash was found in several bags. No pamphlets of any political party were present with the money.
The income tax department has been informed about the cash seizure. Authorities suspected the cash was meant for distribution to voters. An FIR has been registered at Kharghar police station against unidentified accused.
