Maharashtra Minister Parinay Fuke stocked a controversy on Friday after he exhorted his supporters to “break” road safety rules, if needed, to bring more number of people for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Bhandara.
“Don't worry if you ride triples on two-wheelers,” Fuke, a Member of Legislative Council (MLA) and BJP candidate from Sakoli, said while addressing a meeting in his constituency.
"If the police stop you, tell them my name, tell them that you are my men and also say the vehicle belongs to me... If they still catch you for riding triple-seat or even five-seat, I will get you out.. You rest assured," the minister told his supporters.
Fuke's remarks sparked off a storm with even Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP, demanding his sacking.
"This is very serious and the minister must be sacked for making such blatant statements," said Shiv Sena leader Kishore Tiwari.
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Modi is expected to kick-off his campaign with a rally in Jalgaon in North Maharashtra on October 13 followed by a second public meeting at Sakoli in Bhandara district of Vidarbha the same day.
He will address three rallies on October 16 at Akola, Partur (Jalna district) and Panvel (Navi Mumbai) followed by public meetings in Parli (Beed district), Satara and Pune on October 17.
The last election rally of the prime minister will be in Mumbai on October 18, just two days before the polling.
There are 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra of which the BJP is contesting 164 constituencies and the Shiv Sena 124. The BJP has given some seats from its quota to the smaller allies of the saffron alliance.
The campaigning for assembly polls will end on the evening of October 19 and votes will be counted on October 24.
