In a scathing critique delivered on Friday, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar launched a fierce attack on the ruling Mahayuti alliance, accusing it of systematically eroding democratic principles and fostering an environment of lawlessness. Speaking at a public event in Chandrapur, the senior leader alleged that the upcoming civic elections are being transformed into a contest dominated by financial clout, muscle power, and divisive communal rhetoric.
Accusations of State Machinery Misuse and Governance Failures
Wadettiwar directly charged the ruling parties with misusing state apparatus to intimidate voters and suppress participation. He claimed that police forces and criminal elements have been deployed to create an atmosphere of fear, which is beginning to impact public engagement in the democratic process. This, he argued, starkly contradicts the BJP's frequent assertions of providing clean and transparent governance.
Turning to local issues, the Congress leader painted a grim picture of Chandrapur's civic infrastructure. He highlighted the city's suffering due to poor road conditions, a severe lack of clean drinking water, and widespread filth. Wadettiwar squarely blamed this administrative decay on what he termed "commission-taking and percentage politics," implying deep-rooted corruption within the system.
Hypocrisy on Communal Politics and Questioning EC's Role
The leader accused the ruling alliance of blatant hypocrisy on the sensitive issue of communal politics. He alleged that the coalition is raising Hindu-Muslim rhetoric to polarize voters for electoral gains, while simultaneously maintaining a political alignment with the AIMIM. Wadettiwar also raised serious questions about the Election Commission's inaction.
He pointed to what he called open violations of the Model Code of Conduct, including provocative religious statements made by ministers, and demanded to know why the poll body had not intervened.
Mocking Victory Claims and Critiquing NCP's "Tactical Unity"
Responding to BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule's confident prediction that the Mahayuti would secure 51% of the votes, Wadettiwar reacted with skepticism and mockery. "How do they say 51%? Do they predict the future?" he questioned. He further insinuated that such confidence could only stem from the misuse of official machinery, police, money power, and potential vote theft.
Commenting on the political realignments in the state, Wadettiwar turned his focus to the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He questioned the ideological cost of their tactical unity, especially in the Vidarbha region. "What is Ajit Pawar's party's position in Vidarbha? If both NCPs come together, what happens to progressive thought? Or is it unity only till elections?" he asked.
Likening the political maneuvering in Pune to a theatrical performance, he added, "It is like saying, ‘You act as if you hit me, I'll act as if I cried.'" He concluded with a damning indictment of the current political climate, stating, "Politics became filthy under the BJP."
