Post-Siddique killing, EC directs Maharashtra, Jharkhand to curb crimes aiming netas

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Tuesday directed the authorities in Maharashtra and Jharkhand to ensure a strict clampdown on crimes targeted at politicians, its concerns largely stemming from the murder of NCP MLA Baba Siddique in Mumbai days before the assembly polls were announced and the subsequent death threats received by his son and Bandra East MLA Zeeshan Siddique . At a meeting with the chief secretaries, DGPs and top officials of Maharashtra and Jharkhand, EC also issued firm instructions for stepping up efforts to curb the inflow of inducements like unaccounted cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals and other freebies to the poll-bound states ahead of the polling.

Sources said Rs 345 crore worth of potential poll inducements have been recovered since elections were declared in the two states as well as for the bypolls. Of these, seizures worth Rs 175 crore were reported in Maharashtra, Rs 114 crore in Jharkhand and Rs 58 crore in the states where byelections are being held.

Expressing concern over the “politically motivated” crimes in Maharashtra, CEC Rajiv Kumar said asked the state police chief to ensure that such crimes are checked with an iron hand as they vitiate the electoral atmosphere and disturb the level-playing field.

Baba Siddique was shot dead by assailants, purportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, on Dussehra. His son Zeeshan Siddique, who is contesting the Maharashtra polls on a NCP ticket, recently received death threats on the phone.