Nagpur: Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday alleged that the politics surrounding the MLC elections in Maharashtra has descended to a level that would even 'shame prostitutes'. He claimed that a majority of councillors had sold their votes for amounts ranging up to ₹15 lakh each.
Allegations of Horse-Trading
Speaking to reporters, Wadettiwar took aim at his own party colleagues without naming anyone, stating that the polls scheduled for June 18 are becoming mired in allegations of horse-trading. The MLC elections have become a hot topic after three candidates from the Mahayuti alliance were elected unopposed following the withdrawal of other contestants. In the Vidarbha region, two Mahayuti candidates, Arun Lakhani and Dushyant Chaturvedi, secured victories without a contest.
Specific Allegations
Wadettiwar alleged that a Congressman in Chandrapur district distributed ₹5 lakh each to around 40 to 45 councillors, instructing them to vote according to directives. 'My own councillor came and told me that he was being offered money with a diktat to vote for whoever they say. But he did not identify the bribe giver,' Wadettiwar said.
He demanded action against the saboteurs, along with expelled Congress candidate Shailesh Agrawal, who withdrew his nomination for the Wardha-Gadchiroli-Chandrapur seat. 'While action was taken against Agrawal, the person who distributed the money should also face party action,' Wadettiwar asserted.
Vote-Buying Culture
The MLA stated that councillors, who are the voters in these polls, owe no loyalty to any party. 'They are only waiting to see who will pay more in the MLC election. Maybe 25% to 30% are honest, but 70% are sold out for ₹5 lakh, ₹10 lakh, ₹15 lakh. They have turned politics into a business,' Wadettiwar said. He added that both buyers and sellers of votes should be investigated.
