Congress Accuses BJP-Mahayuti of 'Might is Right' Tactics in Council Polls

The Congress party has accused the ruling BJP-Mahayuti alliance of using money, force, and administrative influence to secure victories in the recent elections for 17 Maharashtra Legislative Council seats. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Harshavardhan Sapkal on Monday alleged that the ruling coalition displayed an 'arrogance of power' and resorted to bullying tactics.

Speaking to reporters, Sapkal claimed that the BJP-Mahayuti's approach reflected a 'might is right' principle, employing every available tactic—including diplomacy, money, force, and division—during the election process. 'The BJP's stance is one of bullying, and they have begun their march toward 'One Nation, One Party' by first eliminating the opposition and then their own allies,' he said.

Sapkal further criticised the conduct of the elections, stating that Indian democracy requires a 'fair and fear-free environment' for elections. 'However, we have not seen a healthy electoral picture for the past few years. The ruling BJP-Mahayuti is winning elections by misusing power, with the administration and the Election Commission aiding them,' he alleged.

The Legislative Council elections were held for 17 seats across Maharashtra, with results announced on Monday. The ruling Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction)—won a majority of the seats, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), secured fewer seats. The Congress party's allegations come amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling and opposition blocs in the state.

These are assertions by a political party and have not been independently verified. The Election Commission and the state government have not yet responded to the specific allegations.