Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, on Thursday, alleged that there was large-scale misuse of money and power by the ruling BJP-led alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, but expressed confidence that the Congress will emerge victorious.
Voting 29 municipal corporations in the state, including the Mumbai civic body, concluded on Thursday evening. Votes will be counted on January 16 (Friday).
Gaikwad accused the Mahayuti coalition of indulging in corrupt practices during the polls. She alleged that cash and goods, including mixer grinders, were distributed openly to lure voters, but no action was taken against the ruling alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the NCP.
She said despite the unfair means, the BJP will not succeed in the elections.
“Mumbaiites want clean air, drinking water, freedom from traffic congestion, better healthcare facilities, quality education and an end to corruption in the municipal corporation. They are tired of the BJP alliance's corrupt governance and want development, not disputes,” Gaikwad said.
She said the Congress alliance received a positive response from voters and would cross the magic figure in the BMC, and a Congress-led civic body will be formed.
Gaikwad slammed the Election Commission, alleging mismanagement in the conduct of the polls. She said discrepancies in the electoral rolls were not resolved till the last moment and alleged that political parties were not informed about the use of a new Printing and Auxiliary Display Units machine.
There are complaints that the ink applied on voters' fingers is being erased, but the Election Commission is remaining inactive, she claimed, adding, “Conducting elections in such a manner amounts to stripping democracy of its essence, which is dangerous for the country.”
As voting began BMC elections, videos that went viral on social media showed people using acetone to remove the indelible ink from their fingers.
Taing to X, the Gaikwad shared one such video and wrote, "BMC wiping off accountability? Since morning, we have been receiving several reports of how the marker ink being used to show voting has been done is easily being wiped off.”
—With agency inputs |
