Hazare effect: Shiv Sena calls to fight polls sans money power

Shiv Sena has become the first party in Maharashtra to positively respond to Anna Hazare’s call for electoral reforms. The party, which, after a string of flip-flop, extended support to the anti-corruption crusader’s Jan Lok Pal Bill that recently saw massive mobilisation of people across the country, plans to contest the upcoming civic elections on a new model which envisages fighting polls without spending, giving and taking money.

The 1966-founded party also proposes not to provide financial assistance to its candidates, but wants people to vote on the electoral merit of the candidates and the party’s ability to fulfil its promises.

The party plans to launch this model in the polls to 225 municipalities across the state. It will start with 12 municipalities in Jalgaon district. A crucial decision in this regard was taken today at a meeting chaired by Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray. The meeting was attended by senior party leader and legislator Subhash Desai and former minister Suresh Jain.

Jain said Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has already appealed to the people to take an oath to cast their vote without accepting bribe or election money. “Therefore, we will fight ensuing civic elections without giving money, spending money and taking money,” told Business Standard. “We will create a model to contest the elections without indulging in corruption. Elections can be fought without corruption... that is the desire of the people.”

Jain, who is currently engaged in a legal battle against Hazare, said Uddhav had given clearance. “Whether we win or lose, we will not bribe voters or spend money and corrupt the people. This will be our policy in the coming elections. During Ganesh festival, the party will reach out to the people with a resolve not to be party to the corruption,” he added.

A Sena leader, who did not want to be identified, said the party supremo has already said that “money-free polls” would help curb corruption and it pave the way for electing people with clean image.