Maharashtra EC sent to Jail by Assembly

In a bizarre development, the Maharashrtra Assembly passed a unanimous resolution to pronounce a two-day jail term for Maharashtra Election Commissioner Nand Lal. The EC was arrested and sent to Arthur Road jail. The Assembly took the decision after Nand Lal failed to appear before a privilege committee. Nand Lal looked unfazed by the latest development and termed it as a case of "political vendetta".

It was alleged that Nand Lal made "unwanted" remarks against Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and had accused him of trying to influence the functioning of the commission. He had also asked the CM to pay for his aircraft and helicopter travel to Pune and Kolhapur districts in December to attend private functions. Lal alleged that Congress ministers Balasaheb Thorat and Patangrao Kadam tried to mediate on behalf of Deshmukh on the issue of delimitation of Latur Lok Sabha seat.