Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Ravindra Chavan made a strong appeal to voters in Dombivli on Friday, urging them to deliver a decisive mandate to his party in the upcoming Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections. The public meeting, held in the Dombivli assembly constituency which Chavan represents, focused on themes of governance, development, and ideological clarity.
Appeal for a Development-Focused Mandate
Addressing the gathering, Chavan centered his pitch on the promise of accountable governance. He emphasized that voters should grant the BJP a single opportunity, assuring them that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would take full responsibility for the city's progress over the next five years. "Devendra Fadnavis is the only Chief Minister who openly tells people—give us one chance and we will take responsibility for the next five years," Chavan stated.
He argued that for Maharashtra to continue on its developmental trajectory, local self-governing bodies like the KDMC must also be led by a party with a strong and clear ideology, which he positioned as the BJP. Chavan clarified that his intent was not to criticize individuals or rival parties, but to advocate for placing governance in the hands of a party with the right ideology to solve Dombivli's long-standing civic issues.
Political Rivalry and a Call for Ideological Loyalty
The rally took place in a politically charged atmosphere. The Dombivli assembly segment is part of the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, a region that has seen significant friction between the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) in recent months. While BJP leaders have openly spoken about securing the mayor's post, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde has been promoting the Mahayuti alliance. This rivalry had previously led to leaders and corporators switching sides, necessitating intervention from senior leaders to restore balance.
In this context, Chavan indirectly targeted leaders who change parties, advising voters to prioritize ideology over individuals or influence. He cautioned the electorate against being misled by leaders who appear only during election time and remain disconnected afterward. "Do not forget those who stay among you 24 hours a day," he remarked, appealing for votes based on consistent presence and performance.
Criticism of Opponents and Vision for the Future
During his speech, Chavan also launched a political offensive against opposition parties. He criticized the Congress and its former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over remarks related to Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack. He further alleged that the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led to a regression in Maharashtra's development, contrasting it with the progress made under the current Fadnavis-led government in the past year.
To illustrate his point about ideological voting leading to development, Chavan cited the example of Kerala, where he claimed people are moving away from Left ideology to support the BJP. He reminded voters that they get to choose their local representatives only once every five years and urged them to exercise this right carefully.
Concluding his address, Ravindra Chavan made a final push for support, directly linking the local election symbol to national and state leadership. He stated that voting for the BJP's lotus symbol equates to voting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and a future oriented towards development.
