According to police officials, details from a non-cognisable complaint (NC) filed by one faction state that former BJP city president Ashok Ambure allegedly sought Rs 10 lakh from party worker Vaishali Chavan, who wished to stand as a candidate
Complaints have been filed by both sides. Representational Pic/File
Two groups of BJP workers in Palghar district reportedly clashed over allegations that a party functionary had demanded Rs 10 lakh in exchange for a ticket to contest the forthcoming Maharashtra local body elections, reported the PTI.
According to police officials, details from a non-cognisable complaint (NC) filed by one faction state that former BJP city president Ashok Ambure allegedly sought Rs 10 lakh from party worker Vaishali Chavan, who wished to stand as a candidate, as per the PTI.
The group supporting Chavan further alleged that Ambure and his associates molested her and assaulted members of their group with sticks during a confrontation in Lokmanya Nagar on Saturday, the news agency reported.
Despite efforts by local MP Hemant Savra and Palghar district BJP president Bharat Rajput to mediate, both sides approached the police, levelling serious allegations against each other, according to the PTI.
Notably, Ambure’s wife is contesting from Ward No. 14, adding a layer of political tension to the dispute.
“NCs have been registered based on the cross complaints from both sides. A further investigation into the incident is underway,” a police official said.
Meanwhile, in an another incident, tensions within the ruling alliance surfaced publicly on Sunday when BJP and Shiv Sena workers nearly came to blows in Dombivli, even as Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan stood at the scene, as per the PTI.
The confrontation is believed to have stemmed from ongoing disagreements over the induction of local office-bearers from each other’s party in the run-up to the December 2 local body elections.
The incident unfolded during the inauguration of the Ganesh Ghat beautification project in Kumbharkhanpada, police said, reported the PTI.
According to sources, supporters of former corporator Vikas Mhatre -- who recently left the BJP to join Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena -- tried to assert their strength as MLA Chavan arrived. BJP workers immediately countered them, triggering a noisy exchange.
Activists from both parties raised slogans and attempted to clash, but the police, who had been deployed in advance, intervened swiftly and prevented the situation from escalating.
Relations between the BJP and the Shiv Sena have been strained for months amid accusations that both sides have been “poaching” leaders and local functionaries.
The disagreements even prompted Shiv Sena ministers to stay away from a recent state cabinet meeting in Mumbai. A temporary truce was reached after senior leaders from both parties agreed not to induct each other’s workers, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
