Masked Men Attempt to Abduct Congress Corporators in Wardha Amid Heated Mayor Race
In a dramatic incident that has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra's political circles, twelve masked men attempted to storm a bus carrying twenty newly elected Congress corporators of the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC) early Thursday morning. The brazen attack occurred near a toll booth in Wardha district, highlighting the intense political tensions surrounding the ongoing mayor elections across the state's local bodies.
Journey to Nagpur Divisional Commissioner's Office Interrupted
The Congress corporators were en route to the Nagpur divisional commissioner's office to complete a mandatory registration process as a group. This procedural step is crucial given that Congress, while being the largest party in the CMC, still falls short of a clear majority. Each corporator's presence and vote hold significant value in the delicate balance of power within the municipal corporation.
Many of the corporators were abruptly jolted out of their sleep as the masked assailants tried to force their way onto the bus. A chaotic scuffle ensued inside the vehicle, with the elected representatives finding themselves in a physical confrontation with the unidentified intruders.
Timely Intervention Prevents Kidnapping Attempt
The situation took a decisive turn when supporters of Congress strongman and mentor Vijay Wadettiwar, who were traveling in separate vehicles behind the bus, arrived swiftly at the scene. Their timely intervention proved instrumental as the corporators, with this additional support, managed to push the masked men out of the bus and prevent what could have been a mass abduction.
Following the physical altercation, the confrontation shifted to a war of words. Both sides exchanged heated verbal attacks, though no further physical moves were made. A video captured during this tense standoff shows the masked men standing outside the bus while someone from inside shouts accusations in Hindi, specifically questioning whether attacking tribal and Dalit women was their intention.
Police Response and Political Fallout
As police personnel arrived at the location, the assailants quickly fled the scene in their vehicles. However, one of their aides was apprehended at the spot and subsequently handed over to the Wardha police. Law enforcement authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation into the alarming incident.
Vijay Wadettiwar later stated to media outlets that this was a clear attempt to kidnap their corporators with the specific aim of sabotaging Congress's bid to secure power in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation. His statement underscores the high-stakes nature of the ongoing political battle for the mayor's position.
Background of Internal Congress Rivalry
The incident occurs against the backdrop of visible internal strife within Chandrapur's Congress unit. There has been a public spat between Vijay Wadettiwar and local Congress MP Pratibha Dhanorkar, with both political figures keen to install their preferred supporter in the coveted mayor's chair. This internal competition appears to have created a volatile environment where such extreme measures are being contemplated.
The attempted abduction of elected representatives represents a serious escalation in political tactics and raises significant concerns about the safety of public officials during election processes. As investigations continue, the incident has drawn attention to the intense power struggles unfolding in Maharashtra's local governance bodies.
