A BJP MLA from Wardha district in Maharashtra on Sunday allegedly violated lockdown norms by distributing dry ration to people at his residence to mark his birthday.
Confirming the incident, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Harish Dharmik said the MLA, Dadarao Keche, will face action under the Epidemic Diseases Act. He said he did not take any permission from the administration in view of the ongoing lockdown to check the spread of novel coronavirus. At least one hundred people gathered outside the MLA's residence to receive free grains before officials and police personnel reached the spot and dispersed them.
Keche has denied his involvement, calling the news a move by rivals to “defame” him. ANI quoted him as saying, “I'd appealed to people four days back that no one should visit me on my birthday. Still some party workers visited me. My rivals conspired and told people that ration is being distributed at my residence, even when I didn't call anyone here. This was shot to defame me.”
(With inputs from PTI.)
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