Masked Men Stop Bus, Attempt to Kidnap 20 Congress Corporators Amid Mayor Election Tussle in Chandrapur

In a shocking incident that has intensified political tensions in Maharashtra, a group of nearly 12 masked men allegedly attempted to abduct 20 newly elected Congress corporators from the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred near a toll plaza in Wardha district, at a time when political manoeuvring over the Chandrapur mayoral election has reached a critical stage.

According to police sources, the corporators were travelling in a bus to Nagpur, where they were scheduled to complete group registration formalities at the Divisional Commissioner’s office. Congress has emerged as the single largest party in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation but has fallen short of an absolute majority, making every corporator politically crucial.

Corporators Resist Abduction Attempt

Several corporators, who were asleep when the incident unfolded, reportedly woke up to find masked individuals attempting to force their way into the bus. The Congress representatives immediately resisted and managed to push the intruders out.

Supporters of senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who were travelling in vehicles behind the bus, rushed to the spot and confronted the attackers. Until police arrived, the confrontation remained limited to heated verbal exchanges, with no major physical injuries reported.

Video Emerges, One Accused Detained

A video of the incident has since surfaced, showing masked men standing outside the bus. In the footage, voices from inside the vehicle can be heard accusing the attackers of targeting Adivasi and Dalit women, further escalating the political narrative surrounding the episode.

Upon the arrival of the police, most of the attackers fled the scene. However, one individual was apprehended by locals and handed over to the Wardha police.

An FIR has been registered, and investigations are underway to identify the remaining suspects.

Congress Alleges Political Conspiracy

Reacting sharply to the incident, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar told The Times of India that the episode was a deliberate attempt to kidnap Congress corporators in order to prevent the party from forming the municipal government in Chandrapur.

“This was a planned conspiracy aimed at derailing democracy and blocking Congress from assuming power in the civic body,” Wadettiwar alleged.

The incident comes amid visible internal tensions within the Chandrapur Congress unit, where Wadettiwar and local MP Pratibha Dhanorkar have reportedly been at odds over the mayoral candidature, with both factions pushing for their respective supporters.

Political Fallout Expected

The dramatic episode has triggered serious concerns over the security of elected representatives and the growing culture of political coercion during municipal power struggles in the state.

With the mayoral election approaching, the incident is expected to further polarise the political atmosphere in Chandrapur, while opposition parties have demanded strict action against those involved.

Police officials said further arrests are likely once the identities of the remaining accused are established.