New Delhi

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar urged the Director General of Police (DGP) in Maharashtra to implement a strong crackdown on politically motivated crimes on Tuesday. This request followed a review meeting with the Chief Secretary, DGP, and other senior officials from Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and neighboring states to evaluate the law-and-order situation ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

During the meeting, CEC Kumar expressed concerns about how politically motivated crimes can disrupt the electoral environment and create an uneven playing field. In response, the Election Commission has issued clear directives to enhance efforts to prevent the flow of inducements such as cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals, and other gifts into the election-bound states.

Since the elections were announced, authorities have seized assets worth Rs 345 crores, with Jharkhand accounting for Rs 114 crores and Maharashtra for Rs 175 crores. These figures already exceed the total seizures of Rs 122.67 crores from the 2019 assembly elections in both states.

Kumar also warned law enforcement in Jharkhand to treat all political figures fairly, ensuring no abuse of power. The Commission stressed the need for rigorous surveillance and intelligence to control the movement of illegal items across state borders, directing officials to identify key entry and exit points for stricter monitoring and seizures.