Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the state government and the Election Commission of failing to ensure a fair process. NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the EC was working under pressure from the BJP
First phase of polling for 264 nagar parishads and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra concluded on Tuesday. Representational Pic/File
The first phase of polling for 264 nagar parishads and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra on Tuesday was marred by clashes, accusations of bogus voting, and violations of polling rules involving workers and leaders from the Shiv Sena, BJP, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
In Hingoli, an FIR was registered against Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangar after a video surfaced showing him inside a polling booth in Kalamnuri’s bazaar area. The footage allegedly shows him guiding a woman voter at the EVM, shouting slogans, and using his mobile phone — all of which are prohibited inside a polling booth, reported the IANS.
The District Election Officer stated that a case had been filed.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised the incident, saying elected representatives should uphold the rules. A member of Bangar’s family is contesting these elections.
Tensions were also reported in Mahad in Raigad district, where supporters of NCP leader Sushant Jabre and Shiv Sena Minister Bharat Gogawale’s son, Vikas Gogawale, clashed outside a polling station. Both sides blamed each other, and there were allegations that Vikas brandished a revolver, as per the IANS.
In Jalgaon’s Muktainagar, Union Minister Raksha Khadse confronted polling officials after a BJP candidate was stopped near a booth, saying rules must be applied equally. Meanwhile, political rivals Eknath Khadse and Shiv Sena MLA Chandrakant Patil had a heated exchange at another location, with each accusing the other of obstructing voters.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar condemned the violence, stating on X that elections are a “sacred process” and voters must be allowed to vote without fear.
“Such behaviour will not be tolerated,” he said, stressing that alliance partners must follow “alliance dharma”.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the state government and the Election Commission of failing to ensure a fair process. NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the EC was working under pressure from the BJP, as per the IANS.
State NCP chief Sunil Tatkare rejected allegations against his party, saying all political parties must work to ensure peaceful polling and that the EC should act firmly against those violating democratic norms.
Separately, several districts reported claims of bogus voting. Congress alleged that people were brought from Kothali and Ibrahimpur to cast fraudulent votes. At Ward 15, a man was caught voting under the name of Vaibhav Deshmukh, and Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s son, Kunal Gaikwad, was accused of helping a bogus voter escape.
In Barshi, MLA Dilip Sopal filed a complaint that a man had used a fake Aadhaar card to vote. In Shirdi, a woman discovered a vote had already been cast in her name, leading to a heated dispute at the booth.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Bhausaheb Wakchoure later questioned officials about the matter, according to the IANS.
(with IANS inputs)
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