Thane, Jan. 15 -- Amid the mounting controversy over alleged indelible ink, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday asserted that "free and fair polling" was being ensured in the state local body elections.

Dismissing Maharashtra Navnirnman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's allegations that a new pen has been replaced with the indelible ink, Shinde said that "the same ink has been used for years" and that "fair elections are being ensured".

"I have spoken with the Election Commission. They informed me that this ink has been in use for many years. The Election Commission has also taken full precautions to ensure that no fraudulent voting takes place," Shinde told the media after casting his vote here.

Following the in...