Nashik, Jan 9 (NationPress) The Chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray, launched a fierce attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, accusing them of leveraging "money and muscle power" to manipulate the democratic process.

During a joint rally with his cousin and Shiv Sena-UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray made a startling allegation about candidate horse-trading, claiming that in the recent Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation elections, an astonishing offer of Rs 15 crore was extended to three members of a single family to sway their candidacy in a municipal ward.

"Where is this money coming from?" the MNS Chief queried, expressing disbelief at the magnitude of corruption.

He also condemned the practice of candidates being elected unopposed, questioning, "How can 60 to 70 candidates from the ruling party be elected unopposed in Maharashtra? Is the voter’s right being stripped away through intimidation and cash?"

Targeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray revisited Fadnavis's 2017 election promise to "adopt" Nashik for its development.

"Fadnavis pledged to adopt Nashik. The people trusted him and overlooked our contributions. Yet, after this 'adoption', the father never returned," he sarcastically pointed out.

He enumerated several stalled projects, including the Neo Metro, Logistics Park, and the Outer Ring Road, asserting that the BJP has relied solely on religion and caste to garner votes while ignoring real development.

He ridiculed the BJP’s situation, stating that by 2026, they would have to "hire" candidates from other political parties instead of relying on their own loyal members.

He criticized the Maharashtra government's decision to cut down trees in Tapovan for the forthcoming Kumbh Mela.

In contrast, he highlighted the successful management of the 2012 Kumbh Mela during the MNS's administration, which, he claimed, was accomplished without the destruction of a single tree.

Raj Thackeray also reflected on his past achievements in Nashik, including making the Municipal Corporation debt-free (erasing a Rs 700 crore debt) and instituting effective waste management systems.

In a heartfelt appeal, he urged citizens not to sell their votes for paltry amounts like Rs 1,500.

"Do not allow a future where your children lament that their parents were sold for a few rupees while the city’s development was neglected," he warned.

He called upon voters to support the Shiv Sena-MNS alliance for the transformation of Nashik.