Tensions flared at Amravati Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Thursday as BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya's visit over an alleged large-scale birth certificate scam triggered protests and a political standoff.
Somaiya's Arrival and Security
Somaiya arrived wearing a bulletproof jacket amid heavy police security. He held a closed-door meeting with civic officials to review alleged irregularities in birth records. Opposition parties questioned the legality of the meeting, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct in view of the legislative council election.
Protests and Detentions
Shiv Sena (UBT) and AIMIM corporators and workers staged a protest outside the civic body headquarters, raising slogans against Somaiya and lying on the road to block his vehicle. Police, deployed in strength after intelligence inputs of a potential threat, cleared the protesters and escorted Somaiya inside. AIMIM corporator Rashid Ali was detained after attempting to enter the meeting venue. Several other protesters were taken to Rajapeth police station as tempers flared on the AMC premises.
Allegations of Irregularities
Somaiya alleged major irregularities in the issuance and correction of birth certificates in Amravati. He claimed thousands of applications were flagged or rejected and that the city showed an unusually high number of record corrections compared to other corporations. "The situation is serious," he said, adding that similar probes are underway in Mumbai and other cities.
Opposition's Response
Youth Congress leaders demanded that the Election Commission examine whether the meeting violated the model code of conduct. They sought action against municipal authorities if permission was granted in breach of rules. Defending his visit, Somaiya said it was not political but linked to an investigation following a complaint filed in February 2025. "I followed police instructions on security. The meeting was to review administrative data and inquiry processes. It does not violate the poll code," he said.
Opposition corporators, including Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Gavhale, accused Somaiya of using the election period to influence administrative processes. They also alleged police bias, claiming elected representatives were barred from the AMC premises while an external visitor received full security cover.
Future Plans
Somaiya said he met the municipal commissioner and birth-death registration officials, and a detailed verification of records would be done in the next 15 days. The face-off intensified political fault lines in Amravati, with BJP and opposition camps trading charges over governance, transparency, and election-time conduct.
