The Election Commission has ordered an investigation against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for allegedly coercing the people of Masalwadi village to vote for the Nationalist Congress Party candidate in the Baramati constituency during a campaign meeting on April 16, the eve of polling.
District Collector Saurabh Rao is expected to send a report to the Chief Electoral Officer.
The Pune police earlier registered a case, but withdrew it later finding no evidence. He was charged under Section 171 E of the Indian Penal Code for “using undue influence during elections,” a non-cognisable offence.
A video being circulated shows Mr. Pawar, on a visit to Masalwadi, threatening to cut water supply to the village if the people did not vote for Supriya Sule, his cousin and sitting MP.
“If you indulge in any trouble, if you show any kind of masti [arrogance], then I will cut water [supply] to this village,” Mr. Pawar is purportedly heard saying in the video, in which faces are only vaguely visible.
‘Language of force’On Friday, the people told The Hindu that Mr. Pawar had used the language of force, and they were still under pressure from NCP workers.
