Mumbai: For enabling the citizens to cast their vote in the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024, a mandatory holiday has been declared in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 20. The announcement was made by Mumbai District Election Officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. No salary deduction is allowed for leave on the polling day and action will be taken against the employers who do not abide the rule.

“It is mandatory for government and private sector companies, corporations, undertaking, industrial groups, trades all other establishments to grant leave to labourers, employees and officers on WednesdaNovember 20, 2024, to exercise their right to vote for Legislative Assembly General Election-2024,” reads the statement issued by BMC.

However, in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible to grant full day leave, employees can be given relaxation of at least four hours. But with prior permission of the election officer.

The Election Commission of India has undertaken various initiatives to encourage the eligible voters in Mumbai to step out and cast vote and increase the voting percentage. The commission had expressed worry about the apathy of urban voters.

The order by the District Election officer says, “Every person engaged in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment in the polling area where the election is held and entitled to vote in the State Assembly elections shall be given a holiday on the polling day i.e. Wednesday, November 20, 2024. This rule shall be applicable to all industrial groups, corporations, companies and institutions, industrial undertakings or other establishments etc.”

“No deduction of any kind shall be allowed in the salary of the concerned person in lieu of this leave. Violation of these rules or provisions by any employer will be dealt with as per Election Commission rules. According to Section 135 (b) of the Representation of the People Act- 1951, no action shall be taken against any voter.”

Strict actions will be taken against the employer if the rule by election commission is not followed.

Mumbai: After the Election Commission (EC) removed IPS officer Rashmi Shukla from her position as Maharashtra’s Director General of Police (DGP), her fate now lies in the hands of the new government, unless the EC grants her another posting before the code of conduct ends. The polling for the Maharashtra assembly will be held on November, 20 and results will be declared three days after that.

Ahead of the state elections, the EC removed Shukla on Monday following a complaint from Congress. IPS officer Sanjay Verma was appointed as new Maharashtra DGP on Tuesday, however, Shukla remains without any post as of today.

Will Shukla Be Reappointed

IPS Shukla was appointed as Maharashtra DGP for two years by the state government. Quoting the sources in Mantralaya, Loksatta reported that after Shukla’s removal by EC ahead of polls, the decision of IPS Shukla’s new appointment will be taken by the new government itself. The report also added that Sanjay Verma has been appointed as DGP till until the code of conduct expires and if the Mahayuti government comes to power again, Shukla will be reappointed as Maharashtra DGP.

Nana Patole Requests Non-Appointment Of Shukla

Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole on Monday evening wrote to the EC thanking for the prompt action and removal of IPS Rashmi Shukla. However, Patole also requested the commission to not appoint Shukla to any position, adhering the legal framework. Notably, the DGP is the highest post in police services in Maharashtra.

Shukla was brought back from the centre after the Mahayuti formed government in Maharashtra. Shukla retired in June this year, however she was granted extension by the state government.

Since the announcement of Maharashtra assembly polls, the opposition MVA led by Congress has been asking for Shukla’s removal alleging that she was biased towards the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government.

Mumbai: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah is set to hold his first rally in Maharashtra on Thursday in the Kolhapur South constituency, where Congress leader Satej Patil’s nephew, Ruturaj Patil, is contesting. Shah will also conduct rallies in Sangli, Satara, and Pune on the same day.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will arrive in Maharashtra on November 6 to hold rallies in Washim, Murtijapur, and Mozari-Tivsa in Amravati district. Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to kick off his campaign today from Nagpur. There are only 12 days left for campaigning.