Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal has alleged that in an obvious attempt to influence voters, the Housing Ministry has allotted as many as 43 plots of the Maharashtra Housing Area and Development Authority (MHADA) across the city, including a few in upmarket Juhu, to various individuals and institutions.

Bhujbal has written a letter to this effect to the Central Election Commisioner M S Gill demanding a ``thorough inquiry'' into the decision and requesting him to take the necessary steps at the earliest. These plots were allotted under Rule 16 of the MHADA Act and the State Cabinet ratified the Housing Ministry decision earlier this month, said Bhujbal.

``There is definite suspicion of massive corruption in this. But equally important is that the allotment happened when the general election announcement was due anytime andthere was a possibility of the Assembly election also being announced. As expected, the announcement came only days later. All this together makes the decision unethical and inappropriate. The CEC must inquire into this,'' said Vasant Chavan, NCP spokesperson.

Though, strictly speaking, it may not violate the election code of conduct, the NCP believes that there is sufficient reason to suspect malafide intentions in the timing of the Ministry's decision. That some of the allottees are institutions registered recently makes the decision even more suspicious, said Bhujbal.

Most of these plots were reserved for housing for the middle and lower income groups but MHADA had not made use of them yet. There must be some quid pro quo in this and we want the people of Mumbai to know the real face of this government, said NCP leaders. Bhujbal is awaiting the CEC's reply but he has vowed to take the fight ahead even if the CEC does not respond favourably.