Nagpur Poll Eve Sees Clashes, Bribery Claims & Code Violations
Just one day before voters headed to the polling booths, several areas in Nagpur witnessed significant political strife. Confrontations, allegations of voter bribery, and complaints about model code of conduct violations marked the tense pre-poll atmosphere on Wednesday.
Police and Officials Remain on High Alert
Reports of cash distribution, illegal canvassing, and last-minute inducements kept police and election officials busy until late at night. The authorities maintained a state of high alert to manage the volatile situation.
Volatile Scenes in Prabhag 10
The most intense scenes unfolded in Prabhag 10. Tension erupted after revenue and guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule visited slum pockets within Gittikhadan police limits. He was accompanied by BJP leaders and candidates.
Congress candidate Pramod Thakur strongly objected to this visit. He alleged it amounted to canvassing after permitted hours, which violates the election code. According to police sources, Thakur attempted to block the road to stop Bawankule's convoy from proceeding. This action led to a prolonged standoff between the groups.
When police intervened to clear the way, Thakur sustained bruises on his shoulder. He accused the police of rough handling while they removed him from the spot. Senior police inspector Kailash Deshmane of Gittikhadan police station confirmed they forwarded the Congress candidate's complaint to the returning officer for appropriate action.
Heated Argument Reflects Political Divide
The confrontation escalated further when Bawankule and Congress city president Vikas Thakre engaged in a heated argument at the site. This exchange highlighted the sharp political divide within the ward. Police increased their deployment in the area to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
Allegations of Courtesy Calls and Code Violations
Earlier in the day, Congress workers raised another allegation. They claimed Bawankule, along with BJP candidates Girish Gwalbanshi, Vaishali Chopde, Kanchan Baxariya, and Shubrashni Khode, visited a local resident's house in the Kutubshah Nagar slum.
Thakur stated he was prevented from entering the house by the minister's security personnel. He raised slogans at the site, alleging model code violations. While some eyewitnesses suggested assurances were made to residents, the house owner denied such claims. The owner insisted it was merely a courtesy call. Later, riot control police conducted a route march in the locality to maintain law and order.
Late-Night Tension in Prabhag 14
Late-night tension also emerged from Prabhag 14. In Jagdish Nagar, Congress supporters chased two individuals on a motorcycle. They accused them of distributing pamphlets along with cash to influence voters. The party claimed the incident was captured on CCTV cameras. They submitted the footage to the police, who have forwarded it to election officials for verification.
Similar Claims from Other Areas
Similar allegations of cash inducements surfaced from Prabhag 25 in the Kalamna–Punapur area and Prabhag 2 in North Nagpur. Complaints were lodged alleging attempts to woo voters on the eve of polling. However, police checks and inquiries in these areas did not result in any recoveries. These allegations remain unsubstantiated so far.
The pre-poll day in Nagpur clearly demonstrated heightened political activity and tension. Various parties made serious accusations, keeping the election machinery and security forces engaged throughout the day and night.
