Mumbai, Jan 2 (NationPress) The President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Harshvardhan Sapkal, has formally urged the State Election Commission to initiate a criminal case against Rahul Narwekar, the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, for purportedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

In a communication directed to Dinesh Waghmare, the State Election Commissioner, Sapkal asserted that the Assembly Speaker is misusing his constitutional authority to intimidate candidates from the Opposition while also employing government personnel in the election campaigns of his family members.

The issue arises from the nomination process concerning the Municipal Corporation elections in the Colaba constituency (Wards 225, 226, and 227). Notably, Narwekar's family members, including his brother Makrand Narwekar, sister Gauravi Shivalkar, and sister-in-law Harshada Narwekar, have filed their nominations as candidates representing the BJP.

According to Sapkal, on the day of the nominations around 5:00 PM, Speaker Narwekar was present at the site and allegedly utilized police personnel to intimidate other candidates attempting to file their nominations against his relatives, thereby obstructing the legal nomination submission process and pressuring officials to reject or delay the filings from the Opposition.

“It is a travesty of democracy for someone in such a high constitutional role to interfere with the electoral process in this way,” stated Sapkal in his correspondence.

Furthermore, the state Congress President accused Narwekar of a significant misuse of government resources, claiming that approximately 70 officials and staff members from the Speaker's office were actively involved in campaigning for his relatives.

He has called for immediate disciplinary measures and the filing of cases against these government employees for breaching service regulations and electoral guidelines.

Expressing his concerns regarding the integrity of the upcoming elections, Sapkal urged the State Election Commission to take strong action.

“It is the Commission’s responsibility to guarantee fair, transparent, and fearless elections. Speaker Narwekar seems to act as though he is above the law. His actions effectively undermine democracy. The SEC must now prove its commitment to upholding the rule of law in Maharashtra,” the letter concluded.

Additionally, he has demanded an immediate investigation into the conduct of both the Speaker and the police officials present at the nomination venues.