Is Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sawant Right to Slam the EC Over Dance Bar Controversy?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Arvind Sawant criticizes the Election Commission for alleged bias.
- Claims of corruption among Maharashtra leaders are raised.
- The dance bar scandal could impact the Home Minister's future.
- Concerns about democratic integrity are highlighted.
- Political maneuvering within the BJP is questioned.
New Delhi, Aug 2 (NationPress) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Arvind Sawant, fiercely criticized the Election Commission (EC), the Maharashtra government, and prominent BJP officials, accusing them of undermining democratic institutions and providing refuge to corrupt ministers.
In response to remarks made by Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, regarding the EC, Sawant claimed the Commission is behaving like a "servant" and has completely lost its impartiality.
“They are engaging in unlawful activities that exceed all limits. The Shiv Sena has faced significant harm due to their decisions (referring to the split within Shiv Sena). What is occurring in Bihar and West Bengal is not an isolated incident; this will happen nationwide,” Sawant stated to IANS in Mumbai on Saturday.
He also condemned the EC for its selective meeting arrangements, revealing that a meeting scheduled between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Commission was abruptly canceled due to internal commitments. “However, the very next day, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde met with EC officials. This is not how democracy should operate,” Sawant remarked, implying evident favoritism towards the ruling party.
Sawant expressed dismay over Maharashtra Home Minister Yogesh Kadam's involvement in a dance bar scandal. “Shinde hurried to Delhi either to plead with the EC for his protection or to cover up his ministers’ misdeeds. One must grasp the seriousness of the situation — a Home Minister connected to a dance bar is alarming. Where is the Ethics Committee now?” Sawant questioned.
He contended that these incidents reveal the authentic "nature of the BJP" and unveil the type of alliances it maintains.
Commenting on Kadam’s choice to relinquish the bar license, Sawant asked whether this absolves the minister from wrongdoing. “Does surrendering the license resolve everything? Will he still hold the position of Home Minister in Maharashtra?” he queried, expressing concern over the state's tarnished reputation.
He criticized CM Devendra Fadnavis for his silence, asserting, “It’s uncertain who is preventing him from taking action. Shinde is merely a puppet; it is Home Minister Amit Shah who is orchestrating the events.”
Regarding reports that a former ATS officer faced pressure to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Sawant remarked, “This is simply political maneuvering. The BJP consistently invokes the Hindu-Muslim narrative. Why didn’t the officer disclose this earlier?” He added, “One day, even Election Commissioners will reveal the pressures they faced from the BJP.”