02 January,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan. Pic/X
Amid growing discontent over candidate selection for the January 15 civic polls, a former corporator has accused former Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashok Chavan of granting tickets in exchange for money, news agency PTI reported. Chavan has firmly rejected the allegations against him.
In Nanded city, Marathwada, Bhanusing Rawat, Chavan's long-time associate, alleged that the former CM had accepted Rs 50 lakh to issue tickets to wealthy candidates.
"By giving tickets in exchange for money, the party has sacrificed its loyal workers," Rawat claimed, adding that faithful BJP members were sidelined despite years of service.
Rejecting the allegations, Chavan told reporters on Thursday, "I have not asked for money from anyone. I have a long-standing career of 50 years in social life. I have never done anything like this."
Rawat, who has been politically active alongside Chavan since 1980, said he had sought a BJP ticket for his son from ward number 16, but the party denied the nomination at the last moment, PTI reported.
Elections to the 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Nanded civic body, will be held on January 15, with votes to be counted the following day.
In a dramatic turn on the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the January 15 civic polls, supporters of a BJP candidate in Nagpur city reportedly locked him inside his house to prevent him from withdrawing his candidature on Friday.
The BJP, in its AB form, had fielded Vijay Holey and Kisan Gawande as candidates from ward 13 (D), but later asked Gawande to withdraw from the race, PTI reported.
The move angered a section of BJP workers who wanted representation from Hazaripahad, one of the localities under the ward. Gawande's supporters locked him inside his home, raising slogans to stop him from meeting the returning officer.
BJP MLC Parinay Fuke and local leaders intervened to calm the workers, after which Gawande finally withdrew his nomination.
Speaking to PTI, Gawande said, "BJP workers from the area got upset, as they wanted me to contest. We understand the decision made by the party leadership, and hence, I have withdrawn my nomination."
Elections to 29 civic bodies, including the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, will be held on January 15, with counting of votes scheduled for the next day.
(With PTI inputs)
