A major controversy disrupted the municipal election process in Buldhana on Tuesday, leading to police action against influential political figures. An FIR was registered against Kunal Gaikwad, son of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, and his relative Shrikant Gaikwad, for allegedly aiding the escape of a suspected bogus voter and obstructing government officials.
Chaos at Government Technical Institute Polling Centre
The incident unfolded at the Government Technical Institute polling centre, turning the location into a scene of widespread disruption and political drama. According to police reports, the chain of events began when vigilant citizens raised an alarm about a young man whose identity documents showed discrepancies, leading to suspicions of fake voting.
Police personnel promptly detained the individual for verification. However, as they were taking him into custody, Kunal Gaikwad and Shrikant Gaikwad, allegedly accompanied by their supporters, intervened. The confrontation escalated quickly, with the group reportedly helping the detained suspect flee the spot, leading to heated altercations and chaos just outside the polling station.
Police Investigation and Political Fallout
District Superintendent of Police Nilesh Tambe confirmed the registration of the First Information Report (FIR). He stated that a thorough investigation is underway, which includes scrutinizing CCTV footage from the area and conducting a detailed verification of the identities of all involved parties.
The case has ignited a sharp political reaction across Buldhana. Opposition parties have seized the moment, levelling serious allegations. They claim the incident reveals a deliberate attempt to bring in outsiders for fraudulent voting to sway the election results. Furthermore, they have accused the ruling faction of blatant misuse of power and intimidating polling officials to shield those involved in bogus voting.
Authorities Ensure Polling Continues
In response to the turmoil, election authorities deployed additional police personnel to the sensitive polling centre and other locations to ensure the voting process continued smoothly and peacefully. Officials later stated that the situation was brought under control and that polling resumed without any further significant disruption for the remainder of the day.
The incident has cast a shadow over the electoral process in the district, raising questions about the integrity of the vote and the influence of political families in local elections. The police investigation's findings are now eagerly awaited, as they could have significant repercussions for the individuals named and the political climate in Buldhana.
