Nagpur witnessed a shocking outbreak of violence as the city gears up for municipal corporation elections. The incident occurred in Prabhag 11 during the early hours of Thursday, casting a dark shadow over the democratic process.
Brutal Attack on Sitting Corporator
Bhushan Shingne, the sitting BJP corporator and candidate from Prabhag 11, faced a vicious assault while traveling towards the Gorewada area. He was in a car with his close aides Praveen Mate and Rupesh Thakur when the attack unfolded.
A group of three to four individuals stopped Shingne's vehicle. They questioned him about his presence in the locality before forcibly pulling him out of the car. The assailants then launched a brutal physical attack on the BJP leader.
Serious Injuries Sustained
Shingne suffered severe injuries during the assault. He sustained a deep knife wound on his thigh. The attackers also struck him on the nose with what witnesses described as a fighter, likely an iron rod or similar weapon.
His aides Mate and Thakur received minor injuries while trying to protect Shingne. Party sources described the attack as potentially life-threatening, suggesting Shingne might have died without timely intervention from his supporters.
Immediate Medical Response
The injured corporator was rushed to Mayo Hospital, which operates as Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital. Medical staff immediately began treating his wounds. Shingne remains under medical care as he recovers from the traumatic incident.
Political Allegations Surface
BJP leaders provided context for Shingne's presence in the area. They claimed he had gone to verify complaints about alleged money distribution to influence voters. The party described the attack as pre-planned, targeting candidates committed to social development work.
The political dimension intensified when identities emerged. Ganesh Chacherkar, who allegedly led the attack, is married to Congress candidate Manju Chacherkar from Prabhag 11A. Shingne has directly accused Congress candidate Shailesh Pandey from Prabhag 11D of involvement alongside Chacherkar.
Reports indicate Chacherkar has a criminal history that includes a murder case. This background adds complexity to the already tense political situation.
Swift Political and Police Response
The BJP strongly condemned what they called a cowardly attack. Former mayor and BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari visited Gittikhadan Police Station shortly after the incident. He demanded strict action against all involved parties.
Tiwari expressed concern that goons were targeting good candidates in the elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, known to be close to Shingne, directed Tiwari to follow up on the case immediately.
Legal Action Initiated
Gittikhadan police registered a comprehensive case against the accused. The First Information Report includes serious charges of attempt to murder and rioting. Ganesh Chacherkar and others have been specifically named in the official complaint.
Police acted swiftly to control the tense situation that developed following the attack. Their prompt response helped restore normalcy in the affected area, though underlying tensions remain.
Election Atmosphere Impacted
The violent incident has dramatically altered the election campaign in Prabhag 11. Shingne faces a tough contest against Congress candidate Shailesh Pandey in this constituency. The attack has introduced a dangerous edge to what should be a peaceful democratic process.
Serious concerns have emerged about candidate safety during Nagpur's ongoing municipal elections. Voters and political workers alike are questioning whether adequate security measures exist to protect those participating in the electoral process.
Investigations continue as authorities work to uncover the complete truth behind this disturbing incident. The coming days will reveal how this violence affects voter sentiment and election outcomes in Nagpur.
