Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 3: The first phase of local body elections in Maharashtra on Tuesday witnessed widespread tension, clashes and allegations of bogus voting, intensifying the ongoing political storm over poaching of leaders across party lines. Political parties accused each other of orchestrating disturbances as polling took place for 222 municipal councils and 42 municipal panchayats.

According to the State Election Commission, voter turnout stood at 35 per cent till 3.30 pm. The results, earlier scheduled for December 3, will now be declared on December 21 following a directive from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. Elections in several wards across 76 other local bodies were postponed and are now slated for December 20.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed displeasure over the delay, saying such last-minute decisions were unprecedented in his 25-year political career. While maintaining that the court’s orders must be respected, he said candidates and political parties were being forced to bear the consequences of administrative lapses. He also urged the Election Commission to ensure that future polls proceed as per schedule without frequent interventions.

Opposition leaders too voiced strong criticism. Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said repeated disruptions were damaging the sanctity of elections and creating space for manipulation. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the poll body was acting under political pressure, even as the government called for calm and respect for judicial procedures.

Reports of violence and intimidation poured in from multiple regions — stretching from Buldhana in Vidarbha to Mahad in Raigad and Hingoli in Marathwada. In Mahad’s Nawa Nagar area, clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling Shiv Sena and NCP (SP), after which several vehicles were vandalised and claims emerged that a revolver was brandished during the confrontation. Heavy police deployment was ordered to control the situation.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar condemned the incidents, warning that any attempt to disrupt voting or intimidate citizens would face stern action. He reiterated that elections are a constitutional right and must be protected at all costs.

Meanwhile, in Hingoli, a case was registered against Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangar for allegedly violating the polling code after he was seen guiding a voter inside a booth and raising slogans while using a mobile phone. The Chief Minister called the behaviour irresponsible, urging public representatives to uphold electoral norms.

In Buldhana district, the Congress raised complaints of bogus voting, also alleging that the son of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad aided an impersonator in fleeing from a polling centre.

With the second phase yet to take place, Maharashtra’s local body elections have already become a battleground of accusations, law-and-order concerns and political one-upmanship, setting the stage for a high-stakes result on December 21.