A DAY after the NDA swept the Bihar elections, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar sought to draw the attention of the Election Commission of India over the transparency aspect of the poll even as he pointed out that Rs 10,000 deposited in women’s accounts seems to have worked in favour of the ruling alliance. On the other hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked the opposition to accept the defeat and introspect.
“During the Bihar polling, I had spoken to some people who told me that women voters had taken the elections in their hands… women participated in the elections in a big way. It means the plan to deposit Rs 10,000 in their accounts has made an impact,” Pawar said while interacting with reporters in Baramati on Saturday.
The results of the Bihar elections were declared on Friday. The BJP-led NDA swept the polls bagging 206 seats while the Mahagathbandhan had to remain content with 35 seats.
Stating that in Maharashtra too, money was deposited in the accounts of women before elections, Pawar said,”Even in Maharashtra they officially distributed money before polls…It doesn’t mean every citizen is being paid, but they are paid through government schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana.”
Drawing attention of the Election Commission of India, Pawar said now the question arises as to whether the elections are being held with transparency. ”In Bihar, Rs 10,000 were deposited in the accounts of the women voters, raising questions whether the elections are being held with transparency. The Election Commission should look into it seriously,” he said.
Pawar warned that people will lose confidence in the system of elections if money was to be distributed in this fashion. ”If those who are in power decide to face the elections by distributing money, then it will affect the confidence of the people. Is it appropriate to distribute money in such a big way? Everyone should ponder over it. The ECI should also think over it, seriously. Giving away Rs 10,000 is not a small amount,” he said.
Pawar said he has himself experienced what difference distribution of money makes during polls. ”Such a thing used to happen during Baramati municipal council polls 50 years ago. People used to wait …What they used to wait for? I need not say. After the distribution, everyone knows what the results of the elections are. There is no need to explain it. Earlier it used to happen in a small way but now it is happening in the entire state,” he said.
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Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Chief Minister Fadnavis, responding to Pawar’s remarks, said it would be better if the opposition identifies its mistakes and introspects.
“Jo Jeeta Woh Sikandar (The one who wins becomes emperor). After their defeat, the opposition should accept it, acknowledge the mistakes and engage in introspection. Our opposition however does not want to introspect.When the opposition party was in power, they too had an opportunity to implement public welfare schemes but they did not do so,” he said, adding that voters in Bihar liked the schemes the NDA implemented.
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