A Maharashtra MP who arrived at Gingee Fort in Villupuram district to carry out a cleanliness drive was denied permission by officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), citing the election model code of conduct in Tamil Nadu.
According to the report, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Nilesh Dnyan Dev Lanke reached the fort around 8 am along with about 300 volunteers from the ‘Apla Mavala’ initiative. The group has been undertaking cleaning activities at forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji’s rule.
ASI officials from the Chennai office, including senior officer Raghu and assistant maintenance officer Mohamed Ismail, informed the team that the drive could not be permitted as election rules were in force in the state.
Following the denial, the group dropped the cleaning plan and instead held programmes at the fort entrance, including a children’s mallar kambam performance, a Bharatanatyam event and a pledge-taking ceremony.
The team also handed over cleaning equipment, dustbins and notice boards intended for the fort, and later toured the Gingee Fort परिसर.
