The Congress in Gujarat alleged that Muslims in the state’s Limbayat town were taken to a religious tour just ahead of polls, so that they could not cast their vote.
Hours before the voting commenced, private buses were arranged in Gujarat’s Limbayat town for a religious tour to Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan to ensure that hundreds of Muslim voters could not exercise their franchise, Congress leader Aslam Cyclewala alleged in a complaint with Surat District Election Officer and Collector Sourabh Pardhi. In response to the allegations, Pardhi said the locals willingly travelled ahead of the voting day.
In the complaint, Cyclewala alleged that leaders of Muslim community linked with the BJP arranged over 35 private luxury buses parked in different areas of Limbayat and locals were taken on a holy pilgrimage at Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
“The leaders — linked to Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil who is the BJP candidate of Navsari constituency, which also has Limbayat Assembly seat — are involved in such activities. The motive behind doing such a thing is to keep Muslim voters away. The BJP knew the votes would go to the Congress. We have given a complaint and hope steps will be taken against the accused,” he added.
In Navsari, which is part of the Surat district, Paatil takes on Congress’s Naishadh Desai.
“Last night, one of our party workers told us about such buses parked in the Muslim-dominated areas to take people on Ajmer Sharif tour. We immediately reached the spot and talked to the passengers who told us that they were being given a free tour along with food and other facilities,” Cyclewala added.
In response, Pardhi said, “We acted on the complaint and sent our teams. We have not found anything serious as people were voluntarily going for the religious tour.”
Meanwhile, the office of Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Bharathi said her officer has not received any official complaint in this regard and were unaware of the claims.
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