Maharashtra civic polls turn violent: BJP’s Bhushan Shingne attacked; attempt to murder filed against Congress candidate

NAGPUR: The election atmosphere in Nagpur has turned violent ahead of the municipal corporation polls. In Prabhag 11, BJP’s sitting corporator and candidate Bhushan Shingne was attacked while heading towards the Gorewada area in the early hours of Thursday. Shingne was travelling in a car with his close aides, Praveen Mate and Rupesh Thakur. A group of three to four people, allegedly led by Ganesh Chacherkar, stopped the vehicle. They questioned Shingne about his presence in the area, pulled him out of the car and assaulted him. Shingne sustained a serious knife injury on his thigh and was also hit on the nose with a fighter (iron rod or similar weapon). His aides suffered minor injuries in the attack. The injured Shingne was rushed to Mayo Hospital (Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital), where he is undergoing treatment. Party sources said the attack was life-threatening and claimed that Shingne could have died had his supporters not intervened in time. According to BJP leaders, Shingne had gone to the area to verify complaints about money allegedly being distributed to influence voters. They alleged that the attack was pre-planned and aimed at targeting candidates working for social development. Ganesh Chacherkar, who allegedly led the attack, is the husband of Congress candidate Manju Chacherkar from Prabhag 11A. Shingne has accused Congress candidate Shailesh Pandey from Prabhag 11D, along with Ganesh Chacherkar, of involvement in the assault. Chacherkar reportedly has a criminal record, including a case related to murder. The BJP strongly condemned the incident. Former mayor and BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari visited Gittikhadan Police Station soon after the attack and demanded strict action against those involved. He said goons were targeting good candidates. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is close to Shingne, directed Tiwari to follow up on the case immediately. Gittikhadan police have registered a case of attempt to murder, rioting and other serious offences against the accused. Ganesh Chacherkar and others have been named in the FIR. The incident created tension in the area, but police acted swiftly to bring the situation under control. Normalcy has since returned. However, the attack has added a violent edge to the election campaign in Prabhag 11, where Shingne is locked in a tough contest against Congress candidate Shailesh Pandey. The incident has raised concerns over safety during the ongoing municipal elections in Nagpur. Investigations are currently under way.