Pawar, Patole welcome EC's decision to transfer Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla before state polls

NCP, Shiv Sena, and Congress welcome EC's decision to transfer Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla, citing political interference concerns.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and his MVA allies Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress on Monday (November 4, 2024) welcomed the Election Commission’s move to direct the Maharashtra government to transfer DGP Rashmi Shukla with immediate effect.

The EC, which took the decision after complaints from political parties, directed the Maharashtra Chief Secretary to hand over Ms. Shukla’s charge to the next senior-most IPS officer in the cadre. “The Chief Secretary was also directed to send a panel of three IPS officers by Tuesday (November 5, 2024) afternoon for appointment as DGP,” sources said.

“The Chief Secretary has asked Mumbai police commissioner to hold the additional charge of the post,” they said.

“The Election Commission has taken the right decision. Such persons should not continue in the post,” Mr. Pawar told reporters in Mumbai.

"It was absolutely inappropriate to keep her in the position and grant her extensions. It's a positive development that the EC moved to remove her. Her tenure in the state had already come to an end," the former Union Minister said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who was present at the media briefing, also welcomed the EC's decision on Ms. Shukla.

Briefing reporters in Nagpur, state Congress president Nana Patole said his party had approached the EC three times seeking Ms.cShukla’s transfer, citing her alleged role in tapping phones of opposition politicians, and asked why it took so long for the poll body to take the decision.