Tension gripped Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after a ferocious fire razed the NCP candidate Abhijit Deshmukh’s election office to the ground, in what he described as a vicious opposition conspiracy.
The conflagration began in the wee hours, fueled by dry campaign posters and wooden fixtures. Firefighters from three stations rushed to the spot, dousing the blaze after a prolonged battle. The office, a nerve center for Deshmukh’s outreach efforts, now stands as a skeletal reminder of the attack.
Wasting no time, Deshmukh hit back at detractors. ‘This is no accident—it’s a calculated move by those who fear our victory,’ he told a crowd of sympathizers. He highlighted recent intelligence about rival agents scouting the location, vowing to expose the perpetrators.
Community leaders expressed outrage, urging swift police action. The local MLA called for heightened security around all campaign offices amid rising incidents of vandalism.
Forensic experts have collected samples suggesting accelerants were used, bolstering Deshmukh’s sabotage claims. Police have detained two suspects for questioning, though no charges have been filed yet.
Undeterred, Deshmukh shifted operations to a community hall, where volunteers are working round-the-clock. ‘This outrage has united our base like never before,’ he noted, predicting a surge in voter turnout.
In the broader context, such events signal deepening divisions in Maharashtra’s polarized politics. With the election calendar ticking, all eyes are on whether justice will prevail or if this becomes another footnote in electoral warfare.