As Maharashtra heads into elections for 29 municipal corporations on January 15, the political climate in the state has become increasingly acrimonious, with parties intensifying campaigns amid shifting alliances and high-stakes contests for control of civic bodies.
Against this backdrop, Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Tuesday levelled serious allegations against Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar, accusing him of intimidating Congress workers during the election process and misusing his constitutional authority. Sapkal demanded that a criminal case be registered against the Speaker and criticised the Election Commission of India for what he described as its failure to intervene.
Addressing the media, Sapkal alleged that Narvekar had engaged in financial irregularities, constitutional impropriety and administrative misconduct. He claimed that the Speaker’s actions undermined the dignity of the office and called on the President of India to dismiss Narvekar with immediate effect.
Referring to the ongoing second phase of civic elections, Sapkal alleged that the principle of free and fair polls was being systematically eroded. He cited earlier municipal council elections, claiming the open use of money power had reduced the democratic process to a spectacle. “Elections are the festival of democracy. Citizens have the right to vote, and candidates must seek votes, not buy them,” Sapkal said.
Drawing a contrast with India’s early democratic traditions, Sapkal invoked former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, recalling that Nehru had even inducted non-Congress leaders into his first Cabinet. He alleged that the present ruling dispensation was driven by an obsession with power and was attempting to “swallow democracy” through money and manipulation.
Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sapkal accused it of entering the civic polls with what he called “shameless political conduct” and claimed that horse-trading had begun even before voting.
He further alleged widespread misuse of money in the current elections and accused the Election Commission of failing to act decisively. Warning of long-term consequences, Sapkal said that if money continued to dominate elections, “voting machines may as well be replaced by note-counting machines”.
Questioning the conduct of constitutional authorities, Sapkal said offices such as the President, Governor and Assembly Speaker are meant to remain above party politics. He accused Narvekar of acting in a partisan manner, alleging that his continuation as Speaker was linked to decisions under the anti-defection law that favoured the ruling side.
Sapkal claimed the Congress had submitted complaints to the Election Commission but was repeatedly asked to furnish evidence without meaningful action being taken. He alleged that nomination forms were not accepted despite tokens being issued and claimed that CCTV footage after 4 pm on a crucial day had gone missing. According to him, officials found guilty in inquiries were acting under pressure.
Using unusually sharp language, Sapkal accused Narvekar of behaving like a “local strongman” rather than a constitutional authority and alleged that corrupt officials and political operatives had been placed within the Speaker’s office.
“The evidence is there for everyone to see. The Election Commission’s silence is troubling,” Sapkal said, demanding immediate accountability.
The Congress leader said the party would continue its protests, stressing that the struggle was not merely political but aimed at safeguarding the Constitution and protecting the integrity of India’s democratic process.
