Mumbai, February 10 The Congress, shaken by the election of a BJP mayor in the Chandrapur municipal body, supported by its rival Shiv Sena (UBT), on Tuesday, has alleged horse-trading and blamed the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, AIMIM, and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi for the development.
He hinted at political consequences across the state.
Political circles in Maharashtra were stunned when the BJP outmaneuvered the Congress, which appeared better positioned to install its own mayor, by enlisting the support of Sena (UBT) corporators.
BJP corporator Sangeeta Khandekar was elected as the mayor. Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Prashant Danav was elected as the deputy mayor.
"In the Chandrapur mayoral election, the BJP secured 32 votes and the Congress 31. The Sena (UBT) is an ally in the MVA and the India bloc. With its six corporators, the Sena (UBT) was expected to support the Congress. However, the party chose to support the BJP. This development will have consequences in the state," the Congress leader told reporters.
Until Monday, there was no clarity on alliances in the Chandrapur municipal body following a fractured verdict in the January 15 polls.
According to sources, BJP's Khandekar edged out her nearest rival by one vote to clinch the mayor's post with support from the Shiv Sena (UBT).
Reacting to the election of the BJP mayor, Sapkal said the BJP gained an advantage due to the support of the AIMIM, while the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Agadhi remained absent during voting.
"If the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, with whom we had formed a genuine alliance in the municipal body polls, had supported the Congress, our candidate would have won. There was horse-trading," Sapkal added.
On the factional feud in the Chandrapur Congress, he said that the corporators of the party were united, and he had resolved differences among Congress leaders in Chandrapur.
"It is only because of the Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM, and VBA that the BJP could install its mayor," he said.
The Congress emerged as the largest party with 27 seats in the 66-member municipal body, while the BJP came close second with 23, prompting a race between the two parties to get the coveted mayor and deputy mayor posts.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) had managed six seats, three for the Bharatiya Shetkari Kamgar Paksh (Janvikas Sena), two for the VBA, one each for AIMIM, BSP and Shiv Sena. Two independents also won the polls, the results of which were declared on January 16.
