Mega Cong Protest Over Ayodhya Donation Row Nagpur City Congress staged a Gandhian-style satyagraha on Thursday outside Poddareshwar Ram Temple on Central Avenue, demanding an independent investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving donations to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. Led by city Congress president Praful Gudadhe, the protest highlighted concerns over the handling of cash, gold, silver, and other offerings collected by the trust. Participants called for transparency in the management of funds and strict action against those found guilty of misuse. The demonstration, which included protesters dressed in white Gandhi caps and stoles, emphasized non-violence and featured the singing of bhajans such as "Raghupati Raghav Rajaram" and "Khara To Ekachi Dharma." Gudadhe argued that the allegations had hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees and stressed the need to protect public trust in religious institutions through accountability. He criticized the functioning of the trust and announced plans to file a police complaint against former general secretary Champat Rai, ex-trustee Anil Mishra, and treasurer Swami Govinddev Giri. Gudadhe urged the central government to clarify its stance on the issue and ensure the public was informed about the facts. He warned that any alleged misuse of devotees' faith should not be tolerated. The protest was attended by prominent Congress figures, including chief spokesperson Atul Londhe, former corporator Bunty Shelke, and representatives from various party wings such as the Mahila Congress, Youth Congress, Seva Dal, NSUI, and local office-bearers.#ayodhya #atul_londhe #shri_ram_janmabhoomi_teerth_kshetra_trust #nagpur_city_congress #prafal_gudadhe
Vidarbha MLC Bypolls Witness High Voter Participation as Congress Faces Crucial Test Nagpur: The by-elections for the Nagpur Local Authorities' Constituency of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) concluded on Thursday with an unprecedented 98.44% voter turnout, marking a pivotal moment for the Congress party amid internal challenges. Of the 836 eligible voters, 823 cast their ballots across 14 polling centers in Nagpur district, with only 13 electors abstaining. The contest between BJP candidate Rajiv Potdar and Congress nominee Atul Londhe has drawn significant attention, as the outcome could influence the party's standing in Vidarbha. The elections hold particular significance for the Congress, which is grappling with organisational hurdles and factional disputes in the region. Londhe, the party's Maharashtra chief spokesperson, has faced scrutiny over his support base, with the absence of key functionaries during his nomination process sparking speculation about internal divisions within the district unit. While BJP appears to hold an edge based on current trends, the final results will be revealed on June 22, the counting day. In other constituencies, the Amravati Local Authorities' Constituency recorded a turnout of 94.68%, with 427 of 451 eligible voters participating across seven polling booths. BJP candidate Pravin Pote-Patil, seeking a third consecutive term, expressed confidence in his victory, citing his broad voter appeal. The highest turnout came from the Bhandara-Gondia Local Authorities' Constituency, where all 457 eligible voters cast their ballots, resulting in a rare 100% participation rate.#nagpur_district #maharashtra_legislative_council #atul_londhe #mahayuti #rajiv_potdar
Congress Infighting Weakens Opposition Ahead of Vidarbha MLC Polls Nagpur: Congress faces one of its toughest political tests in Vidarbha ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections for local body constituencies, as internal factionalism and weak coordination within the Maha Vikas Aghadi threaten to derail the party’s prospects across several constituencies. The upcoming polls, scheduled for Thursday, have exposed deep divisions within the party, with rival factions clashing over leadership and organisational control. In Nagpur, Congress candidate Atul Londhe, the party’s Maharashtra chief spokesperson, struggled to secure unified support from local functionaries. The absence of corporators linked to a rival faction during Londhe’s nomination filing sparked speculation of internal sabotage, highlighting the fractured state of the district unit. Similar factional rivalries have emerged in Chandrapur, Wardha, and Gadchiroli constituencies, where camps led by Chandrapur MP Pratibha Dhanorkar and Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar are locked in a battle for political dominance. Tensions have escalated following disputes over local leadership and organisational control. The Congress suffered a major setback in the Wardha-Chandrapur-Gadchiroli constituency when its candidate withdrew from the contest, allowing BJP candidate Arun Lakhani to secure an uncontested victory. In Yavatmal, Shiv Sena candidate Dushyant Chaturvedi was elected unopposed after Opposition parties failed to maintain a united front. In Amravati, senior Congress leader Yashomati Thakur publicly accused sections within her own party of encouraging “horse-trading” during the elections, exposing mistrust among party leaders.#congress #vijay_wadettiwar #maharashtra_legislative_council #pratibha_dhanorkar #atul_londhe
Nagpur MLC Bypoll Turns Battle Of Prestige For BJP & Congress The Maharashtra Legislative Council bypoll for Nagpur’s Local Authorities constituency has emerged as a high-stakes political contest between two contrasting figures: BJP-backed physician and social worker Dr. Rajiv Potdar and Congress’s combative state spokesperson Atul Londhe. The seat became vacant after revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule entered the Maharashtra Assembly following the 2024 elections, transforming the bypoll into a symbolic battle for political dominance in Nagpur, a region historically dominated by the BJP. The election, though indirect, carries significant implications due to the electorate comprising corporators, municipal councillors, and local authority representatives. BJP has positioned Dr. Potdar as a consensus-oriented candidate with strong organisational roots and a public-service image forged during the Covid-19 pandemic. The party highlighted his role in providing healthcare support across Nagpur, which bolstered his appeal. His candidature was finalized by BJP’s central leadership as part of the Mahayuti alliance’s strategy to consolidate local body votes in Vidarbha. Congress, meanwhile, has fielded Atul Londhe, a prominent state spokesperson known for his aggressive criticism of the BJP-led state and Union governments. Londhe has frequently led opposition efforts on issues such as inflation, fuel prices, and governance, positioning himself as a voice for public grievances. Political observers note that the contest reflects broader tensions between the ruling alliance and the opposition, with the outcome potentially influencing the balance of power in Nagpur’s local governance.#nagpur #mahayuti_alliance #maharashtra_legislative_council #atul_londhe #dr_rajiv_potdar
‘Look Who’s Talking’: MVA Netas Question Modi Over Austerity Appeal Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, accusing him of hypocrisy and policy failures for his recent appeal to conserve fuel amid the West Asia crisis. The criticism came as part of a broader backlash against Modi’s call for citizens to reduce travel and cut fuel consumption, with MVA leaders arguing that the government’s own practices contradict its messaging. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief spokesperson Atul Londhe accused Modi of failing to lead by example, pointing out that the Prime Minister’s own travel habits—such as using large convoys and holding roadshows—undermine his appeals for austerity. “In the morning, the Prime Minister asks people to save fuel and use public transport, but by evening he is holding roadshows,” Londhe told The Times of India. He further criticized the Centre’s foreign policy, alleging that it has weakened India’s ties with Iran and Russia, depriving the country of access to cheaper oil through rupee-based trade arrangements. “The government appears to be bending before the United States despite the economic costs,” he added. MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal went a step further, labeling Modi a “compromised PM” and urging citizens not to bear the burden of the Centre’s failures. Sapkal argued that if Modi is genuinely committed to austerity, he and his ministers must adopt the same measures. “If the PM is serious about austerity, he and his ministers must practise it first,” Sapkal said, highlighting Modi’s continued use of large motorcades and extravagant events.#narendra_modi #harshwardhan_sapkal #maharashtra_pradesh_congress_committee #atul_londhe #mva_netas
High turnout, but ballot shortage allegations cast shadow over DBA polls The District Bar Association (DBA) elections in Nagpur on Friday saw a high voter turnout, but concerns over mismanagement, including a reported shortage of ballot papers, raised questions about the electoral process. With 84% of eligible voters casting their ballots for 17 positions, the participation rate marked a slight increase from the previous election’s 82.31%. Out of a total electorate of 3,390 lawyers, 2,848 exercised their right to vote in a largely peaceful process that spanned from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The election covered key roles such as president, secretary, two vice-presidents, two joint secretaries (one reserved for women), a librarian, a treasurer, and nine executive committee members, comprising six men and three women. Despite the high turnout, allegations of logistical shortcomings emerged. Lawyers claimed the poll panel had printed only around 2,800 ballot papers, far below the number of voters. “Midway, there was chaos for some time. The poll panel then hurriedly printed additional papers that saved the day. However, the papers were like pamphlets and lacked serial numbers, which is mandatory,” a senior lawyer said, requesting anonymity. Another lawyer echoed the concern, stating that the panel should have printed more ballots than the actual number of voters, a standard practice in elections. “The same thing took place in the 2014 DBA polls, and we flagged it then,” another lawyer noted. Amol Patne, a poll panel member, dismissed the allegations, attributing the issue to a printer error. “The error was from the printer’s part, but there was no shortage,” he told The Times of India. Voting continued after additional ballot papers were arranged, though some voters expressed frustration.#nagpur #district_bar_association #amol_patne #abhijit_wanjarri #atul_londhe
