The Indian National Congress officially commenced its electoral campaign for the upcoming polls in the remaining 28 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, with a formal launch event held in Nagpur on Tuesday. The party's state president, Harshwardhan Sapkal, addressed a press conference in the city, outlining the party's strategy and levelling serious allegations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies.
Campaign Launch and Nagpur's Significance
Speaking from Nagpur, a key political centre in the Vidarbha region, Sapkal expressed strong confidence in the party's prospects. He highlighted the potential for the Congress to secure the mayor's post in Nagpur Municipal Corporation once again, a position it last held between 2005 and 2007. To bolster this effort, the local district Congress president has already distributed a manifesto to voters, detailing the party's commitments.
"Through today's press conference, we also give an assurance that our party will work in accordance with this manifesto," Sapkal stated. He commended the unity within the Nagpur Congress unit, noting that all local leaders had come together to finalise the election strategy without any internal disputes.
Allegations of Widespread Electoral Malpractices
The Congress leader launched a sharp attack on the ruling dispensation, accusing it of undermining democratic processes. Sapkal alleged that large-scale use of money power and bogus voting, which he claimed were prevalent in recent municipal council elections, are now being replicated in the larger municipal corporation polls.
"The farce staged by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its two allies included everything—from throwing money around to buying voters, to completely manipulating the system," he alleged. Sapkal asserted that with elections to 29 municipal corporations underway, the same script of malpractice is being repeated.
He further claimed that the buying and selling of corporators has intensified this time. According to his allegations, pressure was applied through police and administrative channels to ensure candidates were elected unopposed. "Money was used extensively, and largescale withdrawals were forced illegally by the ruling party. This chain went from the Chief Minister to MLAs' personal assistants and even relatives of ruling leaders," Sapkal charged. He also specifically accused Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar of attempting to get candidates elected unopposed.
Addressing Internal Alliance Dynamics
Responding to criticisms and allegations regarding ticket distribution within the Congress and its alliance, Sapkal defended the process as an internal matter of seat-sharing among partners. He referenced the party's alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), noting that 62 seats were allotted to the VBA, some of which were returned due to a lack of suitable candidates.
"This is not a matter for criticism. We urge restraint in unnecessary comments," Sapkal said, addressing the discourse around the alliance. He expressed hope that despite current differences, the coalition would strengthen in the future, emphasising a focus on the larger electoral battle ahead.
With the campaign now formally launched from Nagpur, the Congress has signalled its intent to aggressively contest the urban local body elections, centring its pitch on governance issues and allegations of systemic corruption in the electoral process against its rivals.
