Overview
- State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare asked BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to submit details on AAP’s complaint about the Colaba filings.
- AAP says Ward 227 candidate Margaret Da Costa paid the Rs 2,500 fee, was inside the Returning Officer’s premises before the deadline, and was still not allowed to submit her form.
- Opposition candidates from AAP, Congress and MNS allege Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar entered the RO office and influenced staff decisions, with MNS nominee Baban Mahadik reporting his form was not accepted and a scuffle with police followed.
- Congress candidate Laura D’Souza says she saw Narwekar at the RO office, could not file under the party due to a late AB form, and was later accepted as an independent the next morning while alleging selective procedural leniency.
- BJP leaders reject the accusations, with Rahul Narwekar denying interference and Harshita Narwekar citing CCTV and timely submission, as BMC records show 150 nominations at the RO’s office, including 45 on December 30.