Congress Candidate's Poll Booth Pandal Gutted by Fire in Nagpur, Sabotage Suspected
A fire caused severe damage to the pandal, curtains, and party flags outside the poll booth of Congress candidate Shivani Chaudhary in Nagpur. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday. It has sparked allegations of political sabotage from party cadres.
Incident Details and Timing
The blaze erupted between 2 am and 4 am. It targeted materials set up for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections. The poll booth is located in ward number 31(D). Congress workers quickly pointed fingers at their rivals.
Allegations of Political Sabotage
Party cadres from the Congress camp made strong accusations. They claimed the fire was an act of political sabotage. According to them, the rival camp intentionally set the materials ablaze. The motive was to intimidate their candidate and supporters ahead of the crucial elections.
Shivani Chaudhary faces BJP's Mansi Shimle in this electoral battle. In the 2017 elections, BJP's Ravindra Bhoyar had won this seat. The current incident adds tension to an already competitive race.
Conflicting Accounts and Police Investigation
The reason behind the fire remains unclear. Police received conflicting reports from local residents. Some residents mentioned that a bonfire was lit nearby during the chilly night. Others suggested a possible electrical short circuit in the pandal wiring.
However, no one claimed to have seen the pandal being set on fire intentionally. Senior inspector Ritesh Aher from Kotwali police station confirmed this. He also stated that no formal complaint has been lodged so far.
Current Situation and Security Measures
Police officials reported that the area remained calm and peaceful after the incident. Bandobast, or security arrangements, were already in place to maintain law and order. Authorities are actively investigating to determine the exact cause of the fire.
The investigation is ongoing. Police are examining all possibilities, including accidental causes and deliberate acts. The community awaits further updates as the election date approaches.
