Ranjit Mahanti
MADHAV Bhandari the Chief Spokesperson of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of Maharashtra Pradesh has complaint against Mayank Gandhi the AAP candidate of Aam Admi Party (AAP) from North Mumbai alleging that he attended a Sai Bhandara with the supporters wearing Gandhi Topi with a symbol of the party (the broom) printed on it.
Bhandari on April 11, 2014 registered a complaint (Copy available with ABI) against Gandhi to the Chief Electoral Officer Maharashtra, Election Commissioner of India, Bangur Nagar police station and Commissioner of Police, Mumbai. The complaint stated that on March 30, 2014; Mayank Gandhi attended a ‘Sai Bhandara’ a religious function at Bangur Nagar, Goregaon (west) wearing a Gandhi topi, depicting the following letters in Devnagari script “Main Hun Aam Admi.” Underneath of which was their election symbol of Jhadoo (Broom). Gandhi also consumed the prasad (PIC available with ABI) sitting in devotee’s row wearing the said topi, flashing the party symbol of AAP.
Mayank Gandhi posted the photographs of the function on his Facebook and Twitter pages.
“This is nothing but a blatant misuse of the religious gathering by Mayank Gandhi, for the purpose of eliciting the votes by displaying the electoral symbol of his party. His act is such which is capable of influencing the attendance, which is undoubtedly the voters of the ensuing 2014 Parliamentary polls,” said Bhandari.
Bhandari has requested the authorities to take prompt action against Gandhi for the breach of model code of conduct under the various provisions of the law including the ‘Information Technology Act-2000.’
Mayank Gandhi on this matter said, “It is true that I attended the ‘Sai Bhandara’ that was organized by my friend. But I attended the function without wearing party topi with an imprint of the party election symbol. I will reply to the authorities.”