Cong says Jankar pressurised election officer; asks EC to act

Congress today alleged Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Minister Mahadev Jankar has "violated" the model code of conduct ahead of the local body polls last month by "pressurising" an election officer, and appealed to state Election Commission to "book" him immediately.
"A video footage has emerged, where Jankar is trying to pressurise election officer of Gadchiroli district, where municipal council elections were held.
"It is a misuse of power and the violation of model code of conduct. The video shows that Jankar is pressurising the officer to cancel the nomination of a Congress candidate as well as asking him to allocate desirable sign," stated a memorandum of demands submitted by a delegation of the state Congress leaders to the office of state Election Commissioner.

When contacted, state election commissioner J H Saharia said, "I am travelling at present. Once I reach office, I will look into it."
Jankar could not be contacted immediately as he is in Nagpur to attend the winter session of state legislature.
"If no action is taken immediately, the Congress party will escalate its agitation further," the memorandum said.

Jankar is the president of Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP), which is one of the constituents of the BJP-led state government.
The first phase of elections to 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats were held on November 27. In the results announced the next day, the BJP emerged as the biggest gainer.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) deputy president Mushtak Antule, general secretary Rajesh Sharma, spokesperson Raju Waghmare, deputy chairman of state women's wing Anjali Rathod and general secretary Janaki Sawant were part of the delegation.