Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has landed in a major political controversy, with the state's opposition demanding the registration of a criminal case against him. The demand stems from a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows Narvekar threatening opposition candidates who were filing their nomination papers for the upcoming civic polls.
Congress Lodges Formal Complaint, SEC Steps In
The Maharashtra Congress, led by its president Harshwardhan Sapkal, formally demanded legal action on Friday. Sapkal asserted that Narvekar's conduct was objectionable and constituted a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). He insisted that a criminal case must be registered against the Speaker. Furthermore, Sapkal alleged that approximately 70 officers and employees from Narvekar's office were actively campaigning for candidates who are his relatives, which also breaches the MCC. He called for cases to be filed against all of them.
Acting on the complaints, the State Election Commission (SEC) intervened on Thursday. The poll body wrote to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, seeking a detailed report on the allegations leveled by the candidates against the Assembly Speaker.
Video Allegations and Missing CCTV Footage
The contentious video, which has gone viral, purportedly captures Narvekar threatening to withdraw police protection from individuals protesting outside the returning officer's office. In the clip, he is heard saying, "How can you have police protection and still want to protest here? I will have to remove your protection tomorrow." He is then heard instructing an aide to call the joint commissioner of police (protection) in Mumbai, questioning the grounds for the security detail and stating the individuals did not deserve it.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed that CCTV footage from the RO's office on December 30, related to the nomination filing, had gone missing. Raut called it a "very serious matter" and questioned how footage from the Assembly Speaker's vicinity could disappear, especially after 4 PM. Former MP Haribhau Rathod also accused Narvekar of objecting to his presence when he went to file his son's nomination in Colaba.
Speaker's Defence and Political Repercussions
Rahul Narvekar has outright rejected all charges from the opposition. He defended his actions by stating it was his responsibility to intervene if anyone tried to pressure others during the nomination process. Narvekar clarified that he was accompanying BJP's official candidates and merely requested police to warn a crowd that had gathered and was creating a scene outside the office. Regarding the missing CCTV footage, he dismissed the allegations as baseless, rhetorically asking, "If I was not there, how will I appear in any footage?"
This incident has intensified the political heat in Maharashtra during the sensitive period of civic elections. The demand for a criminal case against a constitutional figure like the Assembly Speaker marks a significant escalation, putting the State Election Commission's response under close scrutiny. The outcome of the BMC's report will likely determine the next course of action in this unfolding controversy.
