The town of Badlapur witnessed a significant democratic exercise on Tuesday as elections for its Municipal Council were held after a gap of nearly ten years. The polls recorded an enthusiastic response from citizens, with officials estimating a final voter turnout of nearly 60%, surpassing the 56% mark set during the previous civic elections in 2015. By 5:30 pm, over 58% polling had already been recorded.
High Stakes and Heated Confrontations
The election, held for 44 seats including the direct election for the council president's post, was not without its share of controversy and disturbance. Throughout the day, several clashes broke out between workers of the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at multiple polling locations, necessitating police intervention.
One major flashpoint was at Gandhi Chowk, where BJP workers alleged that Shiv Sena members were threatening women who came to cast their votes. The allegation quickly escalated into heated arguments and physical pushing and shoving between the two groups before police stepped in to control the situation.
Another serious confrontation erupted after BJP candidate Ramesh Solse alleged that his son, who was standing outside a polling booth, was assaulted by a Shiv Sena worker. This incident triggered a larger clash as supporters from both sides gathered, leading to chaos. Police had to resort to a lathi charge to disperse the unruly crowd. The tension at this booth was particularly high as Shiv Sena candidate Nisha Thakre is contesting against the BJP there.
Technical Snags and Allegations of Malpractice
Beyond the political skirmishes, the electoral process also faced operational hurdles. At a booth in Khamkar School, voting was stalled for nearly two hours due to a technical glitch in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Voters were left waiting in long queues as officials struggled to replace the faulty machine, despite repeated promises of a quick resolution.
Complaints of bogus voting also surfaced, casting a shadow over the process. At Holy Spirit School, a female voter was shocked to learn that a vote had already been cast in her name. After she raised a strong objection, officials eventually allowed her to exercise her franchise.
In a separate incident with potential implications for voter inducement, BJP workers near Holy Cross School in Badlapur East stopped a man carrying Rs 2 lakh in cash in a white bag. When questioned, the man reportedly gave evasive answers. The police seized the cash and have launched an investigation to determine its intended purpose.
Confident Claims and Future Schedule
Despite the day's disturbances, leaders from all major parties expressed confidence in their electoral prospects. Shiv Sena's city chief, Waman Mhatre, pointed to the overwhelming enthusiasm and long queues since morning, believing the party would improve upon its previous tally of 25 seats.
On the other side, BJP MLA Kishan Kathore accused the Shiv Sena of bringing outsiders to influence voting and threatening local voters. He, however, asserted that the BJP would still win the council president's post with a strong majority. Minister Ashish Damle echoed this sentiment, stating that the voter turnout indicated that the BJP-NCP alliance would secure the maximum seats and the president's position.
It is important to note that voting for the remaining six seats of the 49-member council will be held on December 20. The results for all seats, including the council president, will be declared on December 21, setting the course for Badlapur's civic administration for the coming years.
