In the backdrop of unprecedented realignments in political equations ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections, Mumbai police have made elaborate security arrangements to scotch possible conflicts among the rival members during the process of filing nominations.
In anticipated race to file nominations papers, city police have sought timings of filing nominations from candidates at the 36 election returning offices in the metropolis to avoid their face off with rivals in a bid to prevent any possible clashes.
“We are ensuring that no opponent party candidates file nominations at the same time,” said Dhananjay Kulkarni, Deputy Police Commissioner (Spokesperson).
In addition to this, if the candidates march with their supporters in a bid to display their show of strength, then the rally would be stopped at about 100 meters away from the centre of filing papers and only five persons, including the candidate, would be permitted to enter the centre, police said.
As all the parties’ state headquarters are situated in Mumbai, the 47,000-strong city police are leaving no stone unturned to quell the possible untoward incidents.
With Saturday being the last date to file nominations and the uncertainty prevailing about continuation of combination of Shiv Sena-BJP and Congress-NCP till yesterday, many leaders of these four major parties refrained from filing nominations across the state.
“We have also identified sensitive areas where extensive police deployment has been done to maintain law and order,” the DCP said, adding, presence of policemen could be visible on city streets.
