Water Resources Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Girish Mahajan launched a sharp attack on the opposition in Nashik on Saturday, accusing them of having already conceded defeat in the upcoming municipal corporation elections and resorting to baseless allegations.
Opposition Making Excuses for Impending Loss, Says Mahajan
Addressing reporters in Nashik city, where he attended an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad programme, Mahajan stated that the opposition, seeing a clear defeat even before the first vote is cast, has begun a campaign of accusations. He claimed they are alleging money distribution, use of government force, and vote theft as reasons for the ruling party's anticipated victory.
"Opposition parties have nobody from their side to contest the elections," Mahajan asserted. He explained that their own appointed members have withdrawn from the race, unable to match the development work and performance of the sitting BJP corporators. "They have already conceded defeat in the corporation elections," he added.
Pattern of Baseless Allegations, Says Minister
Mahajan framed the current allegations as part of a familiar pattern from the opposition. He recalled past accusations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering, demands for ballot papers, and complaints about fake names in voter lists. "Since these found no takers, they are now saying opposition members are being bribed, threatened, and even that the election machinery is managed," the minister stated, calling this behaviour "very much in their character."
Chief Minister Probes Nomination Form Chaos
Shifting focus to the internal party discord and chaos witnessed during the last-minute distribution of nomination forms ('B' forms) in Nashik, Mahajan revealed that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is personally looking into the matter. "There were some issues related to the presentation of the B forms due to the last-minute chaos," Mahajan admitted.
He attributed the situation to an overwhelming number of aspirants for a limited number of seats. "We got a large number of people who wanted to contest, but the seats were limited. The chief minister is closely looking into the issue to find out the people behind the chaos," Mahajan informed.
On Rebels and Party Discipline
When questioned about party rebels like Badgujar and Shahane contesting the elections, Mahajan noted that both claimed to have acted on the advice of the Chief Minister. "I am not aware of their talk with the chief minister, but there is a line that has to be maintained. We will resolve the issue soon," he assured, indicating efforts for internal resolution.
Regarding clashes among party workers even during the withdrawal of nominations, Mahajan said such incidents are unexpected at that stage. He promised the party would consult its functionaries to find a middle path and address the concerns.
Call to Youth: Nation First, Shun Drugs
Earlier, while addressing the student gathering, Minister Mahajan exhorted the youth to focus on character building. He urged them to put the "nation first" and strictly stay away from drugs, addiction, and other harmful habits. His message emphasised personal discipline and patriotism as foundations for a strong future.
The political atmosphere in Nashik remains charged as the city approaches its civic polls, with the ruling alliance tackling both opposition criticism and internal management challenges.
