The Maharashtra election commission is considering cancellation of polls to the local and civic bodies in Naxalite-affected districts and in Nashik, which is known for its grape production and winery business. Reason: Law and order problems. The move comes after Union home minister P Chidambaram recently expressed displeasure at the Congress-NCP government’s “inability” at containing the increasing Naxalite activities, in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts in the underdeveloped Vidarbha region.
A state election commission source said on Friday that a review of arrangement for the February 7 zilla parishad elections in the Naxal affected districts found the need to beef up the security. “The polling stations currently selected by the district authorities pose serious danger. They need to be relocated to a safer locations,” he told Business Standard. “The cancellation of elections can be considered. In such a situation, the administrator can take over the day-to-day administration on those local bodies.” A decision would be taken “shortly”.
According to sources, the government has been asked to strengthen security arrangements in these districts for smooth conduct of elections. “Additional helicopters,” a source said, “will be sought from the central government to keep a close vigil in these areas.”
As far as elections to the civic and local bodies in Nashik district is concerned, the state election commission has indicated scrapping the elections, given the “quite serious” nature of the situation. “Tension among different political combinations and social groups may hamper the election process. One option is to scrap the polls,” the source said.
“The issue has been discussed at length with the home department and the state police chief. They have been asked to take adequate measures to avoid cancellation of elections.”
In another development, the state election commission has served notices to Maharashtra chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad and Mumbai civic commissioner Subodh Kumar for presentation of coastal road in Mumbai. Both have been asked to personally appear before the commission on January 24. The opposition BJP has filed a complaint against chief minister Prithviraj Chavan for alleged violation of election code of conduct, especially when the government released recommendations of the Subodh Kumar-led committee on coastal road in Mumbai.
