Mumbai, Dec 30 (IANS): In an embarrassment for chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, state election commissioner J S Saharia on Thursday asked the returning officer of the Paithan municipal council to initiate criminal proceedings against Maharashtra BJP chief Raosaheb Danve for his controversial remarks on the eve of the elections on November 17.

A senior bureaucrat confirmed to TOI that following directives of the state election commission, a criminal case has been registered against Danve under IPC Section 171-B (bribery) and Section 22 (corrupt electoral practice) of the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965. Addressing an election rally at Paithan on November 17, the bureaucrat said Danve had told voters not to refuse 'Laxmi Darshan' (offer of money). Following a specific complaint, a report was sought from the Paithan municipal council returning officer on whether Danve's statement violated the poll code.

Danve had replied to the notice, saying that there was nothing wrong in invoking the name of goddess Laxmi. "I never asked the voters to accept money on the day of polling," Danve had said.

The BJP had caught flak after four of its senior leaders were embroiled in controversies. Cooperation minister Subhash Deshmukh was involved in a row after Rs 91 lakh cash was found in a car belonging to a cooperative bank controlled by him. The income tax department has given a clean chit to Deshmukh. Animal husbandry and dairy development minister Mahadev Jankar is facing criminal charges for violation of the poll code. He was summoned by the police in Gadchiroli district on January 12 for recording his statement. Vaidyanath Urban Co-op Bank controlled by BJP MP Pritam Munde is under the scanner after huge cash was found in the institution's car in Mumbai. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said Danve should be arrested. "BJP has used money power in the recent municipal council elections," he said.