Rival candidates squabble in Nashik; officials say voting unaffected

A heated argument broke out on Wednesday between Shiv Sena candidate Suhas Kande and independent nominee Sameer Bhujbal over the identity of some voters at a polling centre in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, officials said.

Police and poll authorities later reached the spot, they said, adding the situation was in control and polling was not affected due to the incident.

Kande and Bhujbal, as well as their supporters, had a heated exchange of words at a polling centre in Nandgaon Assembly constituency after the independent candidate raised objection over the authenticity of some voters in the segment.

“The police and election observers reached the spot immediately and action has been initiated as per the Representation of the People Act,” Nashik Collector Jalaj Sharma said.

After the police’s intervention, one of the candidates left the place, he said.

“It is clear that polling officers check the identity of voters and then only allow them to vote,” the collector said.

“The incident has not affected the voting in any manner. The voting process is smooth at the polling centre,” Sharma added.