Political instability in Maharashtra directly contributes to the surge in politician-criminal crimes

As the general election draws nearer, there is growing concern about the potential impact of coercive tactics on the electoral process, particularly in key states.

Recent events have highlighted the disturbing resurgence of criminal influence in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai, where a spate of incidents has underscored the troubling collusion between politicians and criminal elements. These incidents have sparked apprehension regarding both the state of law enforcement and the ethical integrity of politics in India's financial hub.

One particularly alarming incident occurred on February 8th, when Abhishek Ghosalkar, a former corporator in the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, was fatally shot during a live-streamed reconciliation meeting with social activist Mauris Noronha on Facebook. The tragic event unfolded as Ghosalkar, 41, rose from his seat to depart, with the assailant unseen in the footage. Police investigations revealed that Noronha shot Ghosalkar before taking his own life.

Furthermore, the public display of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde alongside Nilesh Ghaywal, a known gang leader with a history of kidnapping and extortion charges, as shared by Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has only served to exacerbate concerns about the resurgence of what appears to be a 'gun raj' in Maharashtra's political landscape.

These developments underscore the urgent need for heightened vigilance to safeguard the democratic process and address the alarming nexus between political power and criminal elements.