Assembly elections have started in Maharashtra. All political parties have started preparations. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Thursday urged the Election Commission of India to remove Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla in view of the elections. The Congress chief has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar in which he has made this demand.
Maharashtra Congress President has accused Rashmi Shukla of being biased against opposition parties like Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). He says that Shukla’s continuation in office will raise doubts about conducting elections in a fair and transparent manner. Congress believes that his departure is necessary to maintain fairness during the election process.
Demand for removal of Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla
Nana Patole alleged that in the last 20 days, there have been several incidents of political violence targeting opposition leaders in Maharashtra, with cases reportedly increasing. He says the Election Commission had ignored Congress’s request to remove Shukla, but accepted a similar request by BJP to remove top police officers from opposition-ruled West Bengal and poll-bound Jharkhand.
In the letter written on October 31, the demands made earlier by Congress for the removal of Shukla have been mentioned. Patole said that Congress had written letters on September 24 and October 4 demanding Shukla’s removal and when Election Commission officials visited Mumbai on September 27, a party delegation had reiterated this demand.
Congress made allegations against DGP Shukla
Maharashtra Congress has accused DGP Shukla of directing various CPs and SPs of the state to file false cases against opposition leaders and demanded his immediate dismissal to ensure fair elections. The letter said that Shukla has instructed various CPs and SPs to register false cases against opposition leaders.
He said that the police machinery is allegedly obstructing, pressurizing and threatening opposition leaders and workers. It has also been said in the letter that Rashmi Shukla’s viewpoint has been controversial earlier also. She was involved in phone tapping of opposition leaders and cases were registered against her.
‘DGP helps the ruling party’
The letter further states that Shukla was appointed to the post of DGP after BJP came to power, and even after his retirement, his tenure was extended irregularly. Congress said that for a transparent and fear-free election environment, it is necessary to remove controversial DGP Rashmi Shukla who allegedly helps the ruling party.
The Congress demands Shukla’s immediate dismissal to ensure fair elections and warns that the party may move court if its demand is ignored.
