Convoy of 50 vehicles, but zero action

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Campaigning for the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections has entered its final phase and will conclude on the evening of February 5. However, no concrete action has been taken so far by the model code of conduct (MCC) cells at the returning officer (RO) level in the district, raising serious questions about the efficiency of the MCC teams.

Despite having a convoy of nearly 50 vehicles at their disposal, the situation on the ground is limited to vehicles moving around villages raising dust, with no actual enforcement action. Over the next three days, the MCC teams will need to keep a strict watch on any “meaningful” developments. MCC teams are functioning at the BDO and RO levels, but so far no report of any substantial action has been received by the central coordination cell.

Nothing to show even during municipal polls

Even during the municipal corporation elections held last month, the MCC teams failed to carry out any action worth noting. There were widespread discussions about large financial transactions across villages and a flurry of activity on social media. Despite this, the municipal MCC team did not take a single memorable action. There is now growing speculation that the same pattern may repeat itself during the Zilla Parishad elections.

‘Action if complaints are received’

“If complaints are received based on information from local or state-level sources, they are forwarded to the concerned RO office. Reports of the action taken are then submitted to the superintendent of police. So far, no cases have been registered regarding cash or liquor seizures. We will see what inputs we receive from the teams over the next two to three days.”

— Vasudev Solunke, additional deputy chief executive officer