Rival panels contesting the election to Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill on Thursday accused the group led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar of malpractices after a bank controlled by him was found open till midnight, reported news agency PTI.

The June 22 election to the sugar mill in Pune district has become a high-stakes battle between NCP chief Ajit Pawar and his uncle, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar.

Sahakar Bachav panel, led by Ranjan Tawre, lodged a complaint with the election officer, while NCP (SP) MP and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule demanded probe by a special investigation team into the incident, reported PTI.