23 Congress Councillors Not Reachable: Wadettiwar

Nagpur: Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday claimed that 23 Congress councillors from Chandrapur and Gadchiroli were currently "not reachable," alleging that the BJP took them away after offering ₹5 lakh advances to influence voting in the upcoming Legislative Council elections.Wadettiwar accused the BJP of using money power and political pressure to destabilise opposition parties ahead of the polls. Calling the alleged developments a "murder of democracy," he claimed the BJP was attempting to engineer cross-voting through financial inducements.The Bramhapuri MLA further claimed that BJP functionaries were telling councillors that they would pay "double" whatever Congress offered. "There are records and evidence related to these developments. The truth will come out at the appropriate time," he said.Wadettiwar warned that strict action would be initiated against Congress councillors found violating the party line during the elections. He said the Congress would issue a whip and begin legal proceedings under the anti-defection law to disqualify those involved in cross-voting.The former leader of opposition in the State Assembly also attacked the BJP over its proposal to make the Nagpur Legislative Council election uncontested, as suggested by revenue minister Chandrashekar Bawankule. He argued that if consensus politics was genuinely intended, discussions should be held on all seats instead of limiting negotiations to a single constituency.Wadettiwar said names of potential candidates from Wardha, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts were under consideration, and the Maha Vikas Aghadi would finalise its official nominee within the next couple of days.He also used the occasion to target the Mahayuti govt over agrarian distress and rising inflation. Referring to onion growers, Wadettiwar alleged that farmers were being forced to sell produce at throwaway prices while traders stocked onions anticipating future price hikes. "When prices rise, the benefits will go to traders, not farmers. This govt is working as an agent of traders," he alleged.The Congress MLA further accused the govt of failing to implement the promised farm loan waiver announced during the budget session. According to him, many farmers refrained from repaying earlier loans expecting relief, but banks were now denying fresh crop loans ahead of the sowing season."This govt is pushing farmers toward moneylenders at the start of a new agricultural cycle," Wadettiwar said.