Elections 2014 snippets from Maharashtra

Poll-yester Yarn
Sharad Pawar and Gopinath Munde are known as pehelwans in state politics. The two are often at loggerheads, much to the amusement of mediapersons. It was the BJP leader’s turn last week to cock a snook at the NCP chief. At a presser in Mumbai, Munde reacted to Pawar’s comment equating Narendra Modi, keen on becoming prime minister, to an eager-beaver bachelor ready with a garland et al.“Let’s talk of Pawar. I was in college when I first heard that Pawar was ready to be the PM,” Munde quipped, poker-faced.
Sunday ho ya Monday
State NCP chief Bhaskar Jadhav, a former Shiv Sainik that he is, loves to shoot straight from the hip, a blue-blooded Konkanwalla that he is. At a party workers’ rally recently, Jadhav came up with a one-liner riling Munde: Sunday ho ya Monday, jo retoon khote bolto to Munde (Sunday or Monday, the one lies through his teeth is called Munde).
Daadhiwala baba
Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam on Narendra Modi: “Woh daadhiwala baba hai... Woh karela hai (He is a bearded old man, he is a bitter gourd). Sweet nothings, a Congress activist remarked on the sidelines.
Meet your Mumbai South candidate on Sunday
If you are from Mumbai South constituency and still undecided on whom to vote for, here’s your chance to meet your candidate on April 6 from 11am to 2pm at Rambaugh Wadi Hall, V P Road, C P Tank Circle. You can interact with Milind Deora (sitting Congress MP), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena), Bala Nandgaokar (MNS) and Meera Sanyal (AAP) at the meet, organized by V Citizens Action Network. Mumbai South comprises high-rises and slums, as well as a burgeoning middle class population. It includes India’s rich and famous and the city’s red-light district of Kamathipura. The meeting is also aimed at increasing voter awareness.
Does Modi’s family campaign for him?
Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan said the Adarsh scam would not hamper his poll prospects and hit back at BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, for his comment that he “snatched” the Nanded Lok Sabha seat from his brother-in-law. Chavan said, “I am accompanied by my wife, sister and even by my brother-in-law. My family campaigns for me. Which member from his (Modi’s) family campaigns for him?” He also said, “I don’t see a Modi wave anywhere in Maharashtra.” He also took on the BJP for the coffins scam, which he said was one of the biggest during the NDA regime.
Another violation of code of conduct?
And now, another claim of violation of the election code of conduct. The Aaam Admi Party (AAP) has filed a complaint against senior NCP leader and state excise minister Ganesh Naik and his younger son Sandeep for violation of the code in Thane. AAP (Navi Mumbai) joint convener Mayur Panghaal, in a written compliant to the returning officer of Thane parliamentary constituency, alleged that Ganesh and Sandeep, an MLA from Airoli assembly constituency, presented an ambulance to Anjuman Islam trust at Khoparkhairne. “The Naik clan wants to appease a particular community’s voters ahead of the general elections. We have attached a picture along with our letter. It is a clear-cut violation of the code,” Panghaal said, demanding action against the duo. Ganesh was not available for comment. Naik’s elder son Sanjeev, a sitting MP from Thane parliamentary constituency, has been re-nominated by the NCP for the same Lok Sabha seat. Political observers said that with the Raj Thackeray-led MNS fielding Abhijit Phanse, Thane seat will witness a triangular fight. Phanse recently quit the Sena and joined the MNS.