BJP Secures Strategic Victory in Akola Municipal Corporation Elections
In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) successfully retained control of the Akola Municipal Corporation on Friday. The party's candidates, Sharada Khedkar and Amol Goge, were elected as mayor and deputy mayor respectively, following a day marked by intense political drama and heated exchanges within the civic body.
Mayoral Election Results and Voting Dynamics
Sharada Khedkar, a corporator representing Ward 15, emerged victorious in the mayoral election by defeating Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Surekha Kale with a vote count of 45 to 32. The BJP nominee garnered support from a diverse coalition, which included:
- The party's own 38 corporators
- Three corporators from the NCP(SP)
- One corporator each from NCP(Ajit) and Shiv Sena (Shinde)
- Two Independent corporators
A crucial turning point occurred when Ashish Pavitrakar, a rebel BJP-backed Independent corporator previously aligned with the Congress-led front, extended last-minute support to the BJP. This strategic move significantly altered the political arithmetic within the House.
Political Composition and Strategic Maneuvering
The Akola Municipal Corporation comprises 80 members, with 41 votes required to achieve a majority. Despite falling short of this mark independently, the BJP skillfully retained control through strategic alliances with partners and Independent corporators. This outcome is widely regarded as a major strategic victory for the BJP within Akola's local political landscape.
Post-Election Confrontations and Allegations
Immediately following the completion of the mayor and deputy mayor elections, the House descended into chaos as Congress and AIMIM corporators engaged in a sharp verbal clash. Congress members objected vehemently to the decision of three AIMIM corporators to remain neutral during the voting process.
The situation escalated dramatically when a Congress woman corporator allegedly made a symbolic protest by displaying bangles to AIMIM corporators, triggering further heated exchanges. The confrontation spilled outside the House, with AIMIM corporators accusing the Congress of high-handedness.
Congress corporator Fazlu Pehlwan launched a scathing attack, alleging that AIMIM was functioning as "BJP's B-team". He claimed that despite campaigning on minority politics, the party indirectly assisted the BJP during the crucial vote. The abstention of three AIMIM corporators effectively dashed the Congress-led front's hopes of achieving what they had termed a "political miracle".
Opposition's Serious Allegations Against BJP
In a dramatic turn of events, opposition parties held a joint press conference the day after the elections, leveling serious allegations against the BJP. Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan claimed that the BJP had secured power with the support of seven Muslim corporators through financial inducements.
Pathan alleged that approximately Rs 3 crore was paid to seven corporators to ensure a majority, with Muslim corporators among those allegedly approached. He further asserted that the BJP had promised shops in Akola's Janata vegetable market to those extending support to the ruling side, characterizing the entire exercise as driven purely by power pursuit.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Nitin Deshmukh launched a sharp critique, noting the BJP's campaign slogan of "katenge toh batenge" while now depending on Muslim corporators to retain power. He claimed that the BJP-AIMIM understanding, previously evident in Akot, had now surfaced in the Akola Municipal Corporation as well.
Opposition leaders collectively demanded a thorough investigation into what they termed as political double standards and allegations of inducements and manipulation.
Administrative Supervision and Post-Victory Statements
The election process was conducted under the supervision of presiding officer Varsha Meena, with municipal commissioner Dr. Sunil Lahane in attendance. Following her victory, mayor Sharada Khedkar emphasized that the city's development would be advanced through consensus rather than numerical strength.
Former mayor Vijay Agrawal, who played a pivotal role in coordinating support, highlighted that the BJP-led "City Improvement Aghadi" received crucial backing from NCP (SP). He stated, "Our priority is to work with corporators across parties, beyond caste and religion, and focus on development, cleanliness and beautification of the city. Politics of consensus is more important than politics of numbers."
The election results have set the stage for continued political scrutiny and development-focused governance in Akola's municipal administration.
