India, May 26 -- Min accused of coercing candidates opp actor wife to withdraw in Marathi film body poll

HT Correspondent

MUMBAI: A controversy has enveloped the election to the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, the apex body of the Marathi film industry, after allegations that a Mahayuti minister had pressurised candidates to withdraw their nominations so that the minister's wife could be elected unopposed.

The initial claim was made by actor and former president of the Mahamandal Vijay Patkar on Sunday, who said he was not allowed to file his nomination, albeit without naming anyone. However, it was backed up that very evening by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare, who openly named BJP industries minister Uday Samant. ...