On the final day of campaigning for the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal launched a sharp attack against the ruling Mahayuti alliance. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena (Shinde) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen of exploiting social divisions for political gain while secretly aligning for power when convenient.
Allegations of Social Division and Covert Alliances
Addressing multiple campaign events across Chandrapur, Sapkal claimed these political parties deliberately provoke tensions between Hindus and Muslims, Marathas and OBCs, and other social groups. He said they intentionally inflame public emotions to secure votes. According to Sapkal, their actions on the ground reveal what he called blatant political hypocrisy.
"The green kite's string is saffron, and the bow and arrow is green," Sapkal stated, using a vivid metaphor to suggest hidden alliances between these parties. He urged voters to teach these hypocritical forces a decisive lesson by supporting Congress candidates in the upcoming election.
Specific Examples of Alleged Alliances
Sapkal pointed to concrete instances where the BJP and AIMIM reportedly collaborated in local bodies. He specifically mentioned Akot in Akola district as one example. The Congress leader questioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's repeated public statements that the BJP would never align with AIMIM.
"They make tall claims, but when such alliances happen, there is no action, no accountability," Sapkal asserted. "That is because they are essentially the same." He further alleged that Shiv Sena (Shinde) followed a similar pattern, referencing an understanding with AIMIM in Parli municipality within Beed district.
Congress Legislature Party Leader's Aggressive Critique
Leader of the Congress legislature party Vijay Wadettiwar, who shared the stage with Sapkal, adopted an even more aggressive tone. He directly blamed the BJP for pushing both the country and Maharashtra into significant debt. Wadettiwar also highlighted rising inflation and persistent unemployment as major failures of the current administration.
He cited the alleged bogus land-patta distribution case involving a former BJP city unit chief as clear evidence. Wadettiwar claimed this showed those in power were trampling rules and exploiting poor citizens for their benefit.
Allegations of Governance Failure
"Despite being in power for a decade, the saffron party has failed to address citizens' basic problems," Wadettiwar declared. He argued that flagship government schemes like Amrut Yojana, Har Ghar Nal and Swachh Bharat remained limited to advertisements only.
According to Wadettiwar, residents still face empty water taps, pothole-ridden roads and higher civic taxes without corresponding improvements. "Chandrapur's people will no longer tolerate this injustice," he emphasized.
Accusations of Dismantling Institutions and Vote Buying
Wadettiwar further accused the BJP of systematically dismantling institutions and public assets built over decades. "Those who ask what Congress did in 70 years are now busy selling what was created during that period," he remarked. He alleged that civic infrastructure in Chandrapur had deteriorated sharply under the current administration.
The Congress leader also claimed the BJP, sensing imminent defeat, was distributing cash to voters in a desperate attempt to influence the election outcome.
Congress's Promises for Chandrapur
Wadettiwar outlined the Congress party's vision for Chandrapur if elected to lead the municipal corporation. He promised a Congress-led administration would prioritize several key areas:
- Improved public healthcare facilities
- Accessible English-medium education
- Reliable drinking water supply for all residents
Expressing strong confidence in his party's prospects, Wadettiwar predicted Congress would win at least 40 seats and form the next civic body in Chandrapur.
Senior Leaders Present at Campaign Events
Several senior Congress leaders participated in the campaign events alongside Sapkal and Wadettiwar. Notable attendees included:
- MP Pratibha Dhanorkar
- MLA Sudhakar Adbale
- Former minister Vasant Purke
- Various local party office-bearers
Their collective presence underscored the Congress party's focused effort to secure victory in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections through direct voter engagement and strong criticism of the ruling alliance.
