Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Friday asserted that the Congress has emerged as a significant force in the state’s civic politics, claiming the party is set to secure mayoral posts in five cities and around 350 corporator seats across Maharashtra. He also said the Congress would play a role in power-sharing arrangements in at least 10 municipal corporations.
Speaking to reporters in Buldhana after trends from the civic body elections became clear, Sapkal stated that the Congress is in a position to install its own mayors in Latur, Chandrapur, Bhiwandi in Thane district, Parbhani, and Kolhapur. These cities were among the 29 municipal corporations that went to polls on January 15, with counting held on Friday.
While admitting that the overall performance may not meet all expectations, Sapkal said the Congress fought the elections on ideology rather than compromise. He described the outcome as proof that the party remains the principal opposition voice in Maharashtra.
“The Congress today stands as the second-largest party in the state. Wherever possible, we contested independently, and in some places with alliances, with the clear aim of strengthening the party both ideologically and organisationally,” he said.
Sapkal launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led ruling alliance, alleging serious irregularities during the elections. He accused the government of using money power and encouraging bogus voting to influence results.
“There was open distribution of money and bogus voting. Even in such circumstances, our workers stood firmly against the BJP’s bulldozer politics. This is a victory of the determination and courage of Congress workers,” he said, congratulating party candidates and grassroots workers.
Referring specifically to the Mumbai civic polls, Sapkal alleged that the BJP’s success was not organic. He claimed the entire process, from ward delimitation to the use of EVMs and even issues related to indelible ink, was manipulated.
“From delimitation to machines and ink, everything points towards fixing. The Election Commission must stop functioning under pressure from the BJP,” he alleged.
Sapkal further claimed that the elections were neither free nor fair, citing instances of bogus voters, inducements, candidate poaching, and what he called the Election Commission’s ineffective role.
“Democracy and the Constitution are under serious threat. In their hunger for power, the BJP and its allies have crossed all moral limits,” he said.
