Two Shiv Sena UBT workers held in Bhandup for 'corrupt practices' at polling station, party denies

Mumbai: Mumbai police have taken into custody two Sena workers belonging to Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT), who kept a paper-made voting machines on a table to show to the voters in the Bhandup area on Monday morning.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged that Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Sunil Raut were found involved in "corrupt practices" outside their polling booth at Bhandup.

In a post on X, Somaiya alleged, "Sanjay Raut and Sunil Raut were found involved in Corrupt Practices outside their Polling Station at Bhandup Gaon. 2 Uddhav Thackeray Sena Activists arrested by Police for illegal, corrupt practices of using Fake EVM Machine with name of Sanjay Dina Patil and MASHAL (symbol). FiR being registered."

"Kanjur Police Station DETAINED 2 Uddhav Thackeray Sena's Gundas from BMC Maidan Polling Station of Bhandup Gaon. They found involved in malpractices/corrupt practices at the polling station," the BJP leader claimed.

However, Sunil Raut told reporters that a dummy EVM was kept outside the 100-metre mandatory radius of the polling booth. It was there for educational purpose, for the people who do not know how to cast their vote.

"The Bhandup police have detained both the workers, and the police are investigating them further."

Police said in the Bhandup Lake area on Monday morning, two workers of the Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray group placed machines made of paper at the polling booth to show the voters. As soon as the police noticed this matter, they immediately rushed to the polling booth and seized the machines.

The two workers who kept the machines were detained by the police.

After receiving the information, MLA Sanjay Raut also rushed to the spot. He had an argument with the police, who were waking up the voters. Raut demanded that both Shiv Sainiks be released immediately.