Maharashtra Local Body Polls Disrupted by Violence and Allegations

The first phase of polling for 264 nagar parishads and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra faced significant disruptions on March 12, 2024, due to clashes and accusations of bogus voting. Key political parties involved included the Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Reports of violations of polling rules emerged, involving prominent leaders and party workers.

In a notable incident in Hingoli, an FIR was filed against Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangar. A video allegedly captured him inside a polling booth in Kalamnuri’s bazaar area, where he was seen guiding a woman voter at the electronic voting machine (EVM), shouting slogans, and using his mobile phone—actions prohibited inside polling booths. The District Election Officer confirmed that legal proceedings had commenced regarding this matter.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the incident, emphasizing that elected representatives must adhere to the rules. Notably, a family member of Bangar is contesting in these elections, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Clashes and Allegations of Voter Manipulation

Tensions escalated in Mahad, Raigad district, where supporters of NCP leader Sushant Jabre and Bharat Gogawale, son of a Shiv Sena minister, clashed outside a polling station. Both groups exchanged accusations, with reports suggesting that Vikas Gogawale brandished a revolver during the altercation.

In Jalgaon’s Muktainagar, Union Minister Raksha Khadse confronted polling officials after a BJP candidate was halted near a booth, insisting that regulations should be applied uniformly. In a separate incident, political rivals Eknath Khadse and Shiv Sena MLA Chandrakant Patil engaged in a heated exchange, each accusing the other of obstructing voters.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed his disapproval of the violence, stating on X that elections are a “sacred process” and that voters should be able to cast their ballots without fear. He asserted, “Such behaviour will not be tolerated,” stressing the need for all alliance partners to adhere to “alliance dharma.”

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticized the state government and the Election Commission for failing to ensure a fair electoral process. NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar suggested that the Election Commission was operating under pressure from the BJP, calling into question the integrity of the election management.

Reports of Bogus Voting and Electoral Violations

Numerous districts reported allegations of fraudulent voting practices. The Congress party claimed that individuals were transported from Kothali and Ibrahimpur to cast illegitimate votes. In one case at Ward 15, a man was apprehended for voting under the name of Vaibhav Deshmukh. Additionally, Kunal Gaikwad, son of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, faced accusations of assisting a bogus voter in evading capture.

In Barshi, MLA Dilip Sopal lodged a complaint that an individual used a fake Aadhaar card to vote. In Shirdi, a woman discovered that a vote had already been cast in her name, leading to a confrontation at the polling booth.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Bhausaheb Wakchoure later sought clarification from election officials about these discrepancies, underscoring the growing concerns regarding the electoral process.

As the situation unfolds, political leaders and the Election Commission face increasing pressure to address these serious allegations and ensure a transparent and fair electoral process in Maharashtra.