Sapkal targets Mahayuti, says local body polls reduced to 'fixed wrestling'

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJPled Mahayuti government alleging that the basic principles of free and fair elections are being systematically undermined in the ongoing municipal corporation polls across the state reported the IANSSapkal accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar of flouting democratic norms claiming that political horsetrading has begun even before polling dayAddressing a press conference in Mumbai Sapkal said the ruling alliancersquos pursuit of power had reached a point where it was swallowing democracy itself Referring to the manner in which candidates are being elected unopposed he remarked that the civic elections had turned into a grim demonstration of the belief that money outweighs all relationships and values as per the IANSHe stressed that while elections are a routine feature of a healthy democracy the present dispensation appears intent on eliminating the Opposition altogetherAllegations of coercion and administrative collusionDrawing a contrast with the democratic traditions of independent India Sapkal recalled that the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had included nonCongress ministers in his Cabinet He alleged that the BJP and its Mahayuti allies now operate with a mindset that leaves no room for Opposition voicesAccording to Sapkal ruling party candidates are being ensured unopposed victories by preventing Opposition nominees from filing papers issuing threats and applying undue pressure allegedly with the support of the police and administrative machinery He further claimed that the Election Commission has remained a silent spectator to these developments the news agency reportedDemand for NOTA optionSapkal demanded that even in constituencies where candidates have been declared elected unopposed voters should be given the option to exercise the lsquoNone of the Aboversquo NOTA in order to protect citizensrsquo constitutional right to vote as per the IANSCriticism of assembly speakerThe Congress leader also launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar accusing him of compromising the dignity of his constitutional office Sapkal alleged that Narwekar weakened the AntiDefection Law during his first term and was granted a second term for the same purposeHe further claimed that the Speaker is now interfering in municipal elections to benefit his relatives by blocking Opposition candidates and misusing his authority Sapkal said he has formally urged the President of India to take cognisance of the matter and remove Narwekar from officeQuestions Over enquiry and evidenceResponding to the Election Commissionrsquos demand for evidence regarding alleged threats by Narwekar Sapkal said CCTV footage and witness testimonies were available He dismissed the findings of the recent enquiry as mere wordplay designed to shield the Speaker reported the IANSlsquoFixed wrestlingrsquo within ruling allianceCommenting on visible tensions within the Mahayuti alliance Sapkal described the public exchanges between the BJP Shiv Sena Shinde faction and the NCP Ajit Pawar faction as lsquoNura Kushtirsquo or fixed wrestling according to the IANSHe said the spectacle of the three parties criticising one another while continuing to remain in power was farcical If they are serious about their differences Ajit Pawar should quit the government or the BJP should ask him to leave Sapkal remarkedGet all BMC Election 2026 updates here Your ward info belowRead more All about BMC ElectionRead more Know Your Wardwith IANS inputs