Pawar stayed in Baramati even after end of campaign: BJP to EC

The BJP has filed a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that NCP chief Sharad Pawar stayed put in Baramati after the poll campaign ended on Sunday evening despite being a registered voter from Mumbai.

As per EC rules, political functionaries/party workers - who have been brought from outside the constituency or are not listed as voters there - have to leave the constituency concerned after the campaign period is over.

Pawar's daughter and sitting MP Supriya Sule, who won the seat in 2009 and 2014, is pitted against the BJP's Kanchan Kul.

"Sharad Pawar has his residence in Mumbai and hardly goes to Baramati. Even after campaigning was over (on Sunday), he stayed put in Baramati and has been asking people to help his daughter in the polls. Hence, we have decided to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission," said senior BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde Tuesday.

He said in the complaint, made by BJP leader Chandrakant Patil, the party has brought to the EC's notice that Pawar was a resident of Mumbai and was canvassing for his daughter even after campaigning got over.

Tweeting about the complaint, Pawar said, "The BJP has complained to the Election Commission saying that I should not be allowed to stay in Baramati after the campaign is over. After the rally, I had no event in Baramati. But I have my home and farm in Baramati. Everyone knows that I vote in Mumbai.