In a shocking incident that has heightened political tensions ahead of the Ambernath Municipal Council elections, unidentified bike-borne assailants opened fire at the office of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Pawan Walekar in the early hours of Wednesday. The attack left a security guard injured and has triggered a fierce blame game between rival political factions.
Midnight Attack and Police Investigation
The incident occurred shortly after midnight, around 12:15 AM, at the office of Walekar's construction firm, Bhupati Ventures, located in the Navin Bhendi Pada area of Thane. According to police reports, Pawan Walekar was present in the office along with two associates and his security guard when two helmet-wearing men arrived on a two-wheeler.
The assailants fired at least four rounds, with one bullet reportedly misfiring. The gunfire damaged the glass facade of the office building. The security guard, in an attempt to chase the fleeing attackers, sustained an injury when shards of broken glass pierced his finger. The entire sequence of events was captured by CCTV cameras installed on the office premises.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Gore confirmed that a case has been registered against the unidentified attackers. Preliminary investigations suggest the firing was intended to create fear and intimidation. "The motive behind the firing will become clear only after the perpetrators are arrested," DCP Gore stated. He added that three police teams and one crime branch team have been deployed to trace the accused.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The timing of the attack is critical, with just three days remaining for the Ambernath municipal polls scheduled for December 20. The incident also occurred on the day Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was scheduled to address a rally in the area, raising serious concerns about law and order.
Following the attack, BJP leaders and workers staged a protest, openly suspecting the involvement of the family of Shiv Sena city president Arvind Walekar. It is notable that Arvind Walekar's son, Nikhil, is contesting the election against BJP's Pawan Walekar. The protestors later gathered outside the Ambernath police station, demanding the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Arvind Walekar and his family members.
Shiv Sena leaders have vehemently refuted these allegations. A delegation led by the party's Thane district president, Gopal Landge, met with DCP Gore and demanded an impartial probe. They countered by alleging that the firing might have been orchestrated by Pawan Walekar himself. Arvind Walekar also denied the accusations, stating that the incident appeared to be a conspiracy to malign his family's reputation.
Heightened Security and Poll Atmosphere
In response to the volatile situation, Thane police have significantly increased security deployment across Ambernath to prevent any untoward incidents in the run-up to the crucial municipal council polls. The firing incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the electoral process, injecting an element of fear and uncertainty.
The attack on a candidate's office so close to voting day underscores the intense political rivalry in the region. As police teams work to apprehend the culprits, the incident has become a major flashpoint, with both major parties using it to attack each other's credibility and question the safety of the democratic process in the area.
