Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra cabinet minister Balasaheb Thorat has called for a formal investigation into the recent unopposed election of several corporators in Pune, claiming that undue pressure was exerted on the electoral process. Thorat made this demand during a press conference held on Sunday.
Allegations of Electoral Pressure and Rule Manipulation
Thorat explicitly accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to influence the election system. He stated that it must be verified whether candidates were coerced into withdrawing their nominations, which led to some members being elected without a contest. The Congress leader outlined a pattern of alleged interference, including frequent changes to the election schedule and last-minute amendments to rules and regulations.
He further contended that opposition parties were adversely affected by obstacles deliberately placed in the way of candidates trying to raise objections. Thorat expressed confidence that if the elections were conducted in a fully transparent manner, the Congress party would have secured a much stronger position.
Criticism of BJP's Civic Governance and Development Claims
Shifting focus to the BJP's tenure in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Thorat launched a sharp critique. He asserted that while the BJP consistently talks about development, its leaders were more focused on corruption. According to him, public funds were not utilized responsibly during the party's control of the civic body.
Thorat also claimed that the ruling dispensation failed to address several critical civic issues plaguing Pune. He listed persistent problems such as pollution, severe traffic congestion, rising crime, and water scarcity as areas where the administration had fallen short.
Congress Unveils Poll Manifesto with Welfare Focus
In contrast to its criticism, the Congress party on Thursday released its comprehensive manifesto for the upcoming PMC polls. The document outlines a series of populist and welfare-oriented promises aimed at city residents.
Key pledges in the Congress manifesto include:
- Zero property tax for residential homes measuring less than 500 square feet.
- Introduction of free bus services for women across the city.
- Specific measures to make Pune free from the menace of the 'koyta gang'.
Party leaders elaborated that the manifesto also proposes several initiatives for workers' welfare. These include setting up a facilitation centre for gig workers and creating dedicated rest and sanitation facilities for unorganized sector laborers at 'Majur Adda' or labour assembly points.
Other significant proposals involve the construction of a 'Molkarin Bhavan' for domestic workers and the launch of a 'Mahanagar Health Card' to enable easy access to services at civic hospitals and health centres.
Accusations of Political Opportunism
Other Congress leaders present at the press conference echoed Thorat's sentiments and added another layer of accusation. They alleged that the BJP failed to undertake any meaningful development work during its time in power at the PMC.
These leaders also accused the BJP and its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), of political duplicity. They claimed that while the two parties attack each other at the civic level, they remain allies at the state level. This strategy, according to the Congress, is an attempt to mislead the public with mutual allegations and grab the political space traditionally held by opposition parties.
The demand for an inquiry sets the stage for a heated political battle in Pune as the city prepares for its civic polls, with the Congress seeking to position itself as a champion of transparent governance and pro-people policies.
