Election News Digest: Coalition Regimes Not Bad for Economy, Says India Inc

Mumbai: Leading lights of India Inc in the financial capital exercised their franchise on Monday, with many seeking to dispel the notion that coalition governments are bad for the economy.

Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das was seen standing in a queue, voting for the first time in Mumbai after shifting from New Delhi following his appointment as the central bank chief in December.

After exercising his franchise at a booth in tony South Mumbai, home to most of the rich and famous, Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra seemed to suggest that there was no need to fear coalitions.

"We have all been infected with the virus of progress and growth. Even if a coalition comes, it will tread on the same path and it is advantageous for us," he told reporters.

Sajjan Jindal, who heads the diversified conglomerate JSW, also seemed to be open to the idea of coalitions.

"We have had coalition governments at the Centre and they have provided very good governance. There is no problem. I think we are a very mature democracy and we have seen even coalition governments providing good governance, so I am not worried," he told reporters after casting his vote.

"As long as a coalition is a strongly-bonded one, we can do well," Godrej group chairman Adi Godrej said.

India's richest man, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and richest banker Uday Kotak have publicly endorsed Milind Deora, Congress candidate from Mumbai South.

After casting his vote, Deepak Parekh of mortgage major HDFC, a Mumbai South voter, said local issues dominate while voting, adding he wants a stable government at the Centre.

Atishi alleges poll code violation by Gambhir

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) East Delhi candidate Atishi Marlena on Monday wrote to the Election Commission (EC) seeking registration of FIR against her Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rival Gautam Gambhir over his alleged violation of the poll code by distributing pamphlets without details such as printer's name.

The AAP nominee had on Sunday written to the EC seeking a 72-hour campaign ban against the cricketer-turned-politician for carrying out a road show without permission.

On Monday, Atishi again wrote to the poll panel, alleging that Gambhir is distributing pamphlets without carrying in them details such as the printer's name which is a violation of the model code of conduct.

She has already moved court against the BJP candidate alleging that he had enrolled as a voter in Rajender Nagar and Karol Bagh Assembly segments in violation of the Representation of the People Act.

However, Delhi's Chief Electoral Office on Monday said any action against BJP East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir for allegedly possessing two voter identity cards can only be taken if the poll authorities receive a complaint in this regard.

"We have come to know through media reports that Gambhir is registered as a voter at more than one place in Delhi. We have not received any complaint in this regard yet. Once we receive a complaint, we will initiate an inquiry and suitable action will follow," Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh said.

EC "Strongly Condemns" Maneka's ABCD Remark

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Monday "strongly condemned" Union Minister Maneka Gandhi for her "ABCD" remark in Sultanpur where she warned voters that government work suffers in areas which do not vote for her.

The commission also warned her not to repeat "such misconduct in future".

The EC order said Maneka not only violated provisions of the model code, but also the Representation of the People Act dealing with "corrupt practice".

Addressing a poll meeting in Sarkoda village in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh on April 14, Maneka had said, "We win in Pilibhit every time, so what is the parameter that we work more for one village and less for the other?"

"The parameter is that we segregate all villages as A, B, C, and D. The village where we get 80 per cent votes is A, the village in which we get 60 per cent is B, the village in which we get 50 per cent is kept in C category and the village where we get less than 50 per cent is marked as D."