Naik misusing his position as Guardian Minister: Sena nominee

Shiv Sena candidate from Thane Lok Sabha seat Rajan Vichare today alleged District Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik of NCP was misusing his position in the constituency and a free and fair election is not possible if he is not reined in.
Addressing a news conference here this evening, Vichare said Naik's son, the sitting MP Sanjiv Naik who is seeking re-election, was making use of all possible means to block his electioneering process and ensure he does not reach out to voters.
The Sena nominee's aide, Vijay Nahata, who also addressed the media, gave details of "violation" of code conduct by the father-son duo, who has considerable influence in Navi Mumbai, which is part of the Thane constituency.

He said Vichare has lodged a complaint with the District Election Officer, alleging just before announcement of polls, NCP-ruled Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) had passed tenders worth Rs 650 crore and 5 per cent of their value was collected in form of cheques from the contractors by the Naiks.
Nahata said no names of beneficiaries were written on the cheques. These cheques worth Rs 35 crore have surfaced now and are being "donated" to various organisations, associations and self-help groups to woo them and seek their votes.
The Naiks have grabbed all the public spots for putting up poll-related banners and not a single place had been left for Vichare to put his hoardings, he said.

The election officials have ordered a probe into the issue, Nahata added.