BJP Files Complaint Against Maharashtra Congress MLC Over ‘Dog’ Remark on Election Commission

BJP Files Complaint Against Maharashtra Congress MLC Ashok A Jagtap Over His Derogatory ‘Dog’ Remark About the Election Commission, Demanding Immediate Action

A charged political atmosphere in Maharashtra followed a highly controversial comment by Maharashtrra Congress MLC Ashok A Jagtap comparing the election commission to a “barking dog” that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wills. The Maharashtra BJP quickly filed a formal police complaint against Mr Jagtap as the party called upon police authorities to take the “steepest steps against” Mr. Jagtap. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya condemned the statement publicly and said that language like this against such a constitutional body as the Election Commission could not go unspoken. He claimed to have written to the Election Commission and filed a complaint to the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

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In many words, Somaiya’s statement reflects how serious the BJP is being on the issue, that the Election Commission, as it plays a unique role in maintaining the integrity of election processes, must not come at the receiving end of personal insults. BJP leader said that Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have been vocal in criticizing the Election Commission and EVMs over the last few days, especially ahead of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation election scheduled for March 2025. Somaiya believes these attacks should not be left unchecked because they arise from a fear of losing in local body elections.

Bhai Jagtap, who is also the Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, was not apologetic about his statement. Even after facing severe backlash, Jagtap did not apologize for his statement. His statement was made immediately after a Congress memorandum was submitted to the State Election Commission, where the party had accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the recent state Assembly elections. Jagtap, in response, outrightly expressed disbelief over the election results which, according to him, were nothing short of surprising and contrary to what it appears on the face-value of the mood of the people of Maharashtra. According to him, the results reflected the wide discontent with the BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti alliance.

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Jagtap further claimed that some EVMs were tampered with and “hacked” in some regions, and the surprising result of the election was directly attributed to such manipulations. His statement created more controversy over the credibility of the election process as the opposition parties raised the issue of transparency in the voting system.

The controversy over the “dog” remark by Jagtap now has turned political and legal. This is only an aftermath of the high tension seen between political parties in Maharashtra, especially as this state approaches crucial elections. The act of BJP to file a complaint is one that reminds of a high game in the electoral politics of this region, and anything being taken seriously as perceived to have attacked the Election Commission.

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