42% turnout in Bandra (E) as 4 netas detained for flouting poll code - Times of India

MUMBAI: The by-poll for the Bandra (E) assembly constituency, held on Saturday, saw a 42% turnout, 5% less than during the 2014 assembly polls, with the day marked by drama as four politicians - Congress candidate Narayan Rane's sons Nitesh and Nilesh, Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut and MIM MLA Waris Pathan - detained by police for violating the poll code. All four were released later.

The by-poll has acquired significance as it may determine the political future of Congress heavyweight Rane. It is also being keenly watched because of the entry of MIM, which has made it a triangular fight. MIM's Waris Pathan said the party is confident its candidate Siraj Khan would get a good number of votes in this constituency with a sizeable Muslim population, while the Sena is sure that the deceased Sena MLA Prakash Sawant's widow Trupti, the party candidate in the fray, will win.

A victory will help Rane gain political rehabilitation after his defeat in the 2014 polls in Konkan and bolster the Congress, which at present seems weak in the assembly, said political observers.

The poll is also prestigious for the Sena as it is being held in Matoshree's backyard. Sena chief Uddhav Thackearay and RPI (A) president Ramdas Athavale are voters in the constituency.

Notices had been issued to all parties by the Election Commission that those who were not voters or candidates in the area should not be in the constituency on voting day. However, 2 MLAs, an MP and an ex-MP were detained for flouting this rule.

Nitesh Rane, Congress MLA, was detained by Vakola police when he was found moving in the area in his vehicle. Officials said Nitesh was neither a candidate nor a voter in the area. Nitesh's brother Nilesh was detained by Kherwadi police. While Nitesh was quizzed, his vehicle examined and released soon, Nilesh was released only later in the day. Rane alleged that his sons had been "targeted."

Nilesh Rane said, "This is a conspiracy against us. Sena ministers are taking a round of the area with hundreds of their party workers."

Sena MP Vinayak Raut was detained by Kherwadi police for visiting a shakha in the constituency. He was then summoned by the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) police for inquiries and released. Raut claimed he had not been detained.

"The additional commissioner of police called me and wanted to meet. So I went to the BKC police station," he said.

MIM's Waris Pathan was detained by Nirmal Nagar police in Khar (E).

MIM had won almost 24,000 votes and come third here in the 2014 polls, BJP was second, and the Congress had got fourth place with 12,000 votes.

But "Rane saab's personal equation with many Muslim activists and aggressive campaigning by party leaders has shifted many votes from MIM to Congress," hoped Mohammed Zambeel alias Shibu at Behrampada.

Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.