Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament and former Union minister Arvind Sawant launched a sharp critique against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led Maharashtra government on Tuesday. His primary grievance was the state's failure to appoint a guardian minister for Nashik district, a move he labeled as "unfortunate." This criticism comes at a crucial time, just ahead of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) polls scheduled for January 15.
Questioning the Government's Priorities for Nashik
Addressing the media during his visit to Nashik city, Sawant pointed out a glaring contradiction. Nashik district currently has four cabinet ministers in the state government. Despite this strong representation, the administration chose not to designate any of them as the district's guardian minister. Sawant questioned the logic behind this decision, suggesting it indicates a neglect of Nashik's specific interests.
His criticism extended to the management of the upcoming Nashik Kumbh Mela. He highlighted that the government appointed a minister from Jalgaon's Jamner constituency to oversee the massive preparations for this mega religious event. "When Nashik has four cabinet ministers, why import someone from another district?" Sawant asked reporters, framing the move as an outsider being brought in for key local responsibilities.
Allegations of Corruption and Environmental Threat
The MP did not mince words regarding the potential consequences of these administrative choices. He alleged that the arrangement was designed to enable large-scale corruption in projects worth thousands of crores of rupees related to the Kumbh Mela. Sawant issued a stark warning about the future of Nashik if the BJP comes to power in the municipal corporation.
He claimed that such a victory would lead to corrupt practices affecting Kumbh-related projects and pose a significant threat to the city's environment. He specifically mentioned the green cover in the Tapovan area as being at risk. "We need to free Nashik from BJP to protect the city's environment, ensure transparency in Kumbh works, and maintain the quality of works," Sawant asserted, framing the upcoming civic election as a battle for the city's ecological and financial integrity.
Concerns Over Unopposed Wins and Poll Conduct
Commenting on the broader municipal elections across Maharashtra, Sawant expressed deep concern over an unprecedented development. He noted that 69 corporators have been elected unopposed in various civic bodies. The MP alleged that this situation was not organic, claiming candidates were either threatened or induced with money to withdraw their nominations.
Further questioning the BJP's conduct, Sawant accused the party of distributing A and B forms for the NMC polls from a contractor's house instead of its official party office. He stated that this action raises serious questions about the party's credibility and its adherence to transparent electoral processes.
Concluding on a note of political confidence, Sawant predicted that the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance would secure power in Nashik after the January 15 elections. He also addressed the recent political alignment between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, clarifying that their joint effort was driven by Maharashtra's interest rather than narrow political gains. The two leaders are scheduled to address a joint public rally in Nashik on January 9, consolidating their campaign.
