LAGATAR24 DESK
Mumbai: With only two weeks remaining before Maharashtra’s assembly elections, the Election Commission has ordered the transfer of Maharashtra’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla following allegations of bias from opposition parties, according to sources. The directive instructs Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik to assign Shukla’s duties to the next seniormost IPS officer and provide a panel of three names for her replacement by tomorrow.
The Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have led the allegations against Ms. Shukla, asserting that her position could hinder a fair election due to her alleged affiliation with the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had previously urged officials to maintain impartiality, emphasizing that neutrality is crucial in election management.
Opposition Accusations of Bias
Key opposition figures, including Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, alleged that Ms. Shukla, while in prior roles, had engaged in politically motivated actions favoring the BJP, including unauthorized phone surveillance. He further claimed, “We have urged the Election Commission to ensure elections are free from her influence.”
Nana Patole, Maharashtra Congress chief, voiced similar concerns in a letter to the Election Commission, citing a marked rise in “political violence” against opposition parties over the past 20 days and accusing Ms. Shukla of favoritism toward the ruling coalition.
Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, welcomed the decision, criticizing the government for extending Ms. Shukla’s term despite her facing allegations. “Today, it is evident that her extension was intended to influence the election process,” he remarked on X.
Profile of Rashmi Shukla
An IPS officer from the 1988 batch, Ms. Shukla previously held the position of Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal and was the first woman to assume the role of Maharashtra’s police chief. The upcoming elections for Maharashtra’s 288 Assembly seats are scheduled for November 20, with votes to be counted on November 23.
