Mumbai, Jan 7 (NationPress) Political tensions have surged dramatically ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections following a startling act of violence reported in Mumbai on Wednesday. Haji Salim Qureshi, the official candidate representing the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) from Ward No. 92, was attacked while conducting his campaign in the Bandra region.

The incident took place in the Dnyaneshwar Nagar area of Bandra East. This attack on Qureshi happens at a crucial time when the campaign for the fiercely contested BMC elections is intensifying. Voting is set for January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16.

Preliminary reports indicate that Haji Salim Qureshi was engaged in a door-to-door campaign when he was approached by unidentified assailants. In the ensuing chaos, they reportedly stabbed him in the stomach with a knife and then fled the scene.

Qureshi was swiftly taken to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical care. His health is under careful observation by the medical team.

The news of this attack spread quickly, resulting in a tense atmosphere in Bandra and its neighboring areas. Supporters of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena gathered in significant numbers, voicing their anger over the incident and alleging a severe lapse in security.

Law enforcement has deployed a substantial number of personnel throughout the ward to ensure public safety and to deter any potential retaliatory actions.

A senior police official stated, “We have secured the area and are examining CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators. The motives behind this attack are under investigation, and we are exploring all possible angles, including political rivalries.”

This incident marks another troubling episode amidst a series of criminal activities impacting the election season in Maharashtra. Just hours before this stabbing, significant unrest erupted in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar during the campaign of former MP and AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel.

A mob allegedly attempted to assault Jaleel’s vehicle in the Baijipura locality. Jaleel has accused local ministers and opposing candidates of inciting the chaos to intimidate voters.

As the BMC elections approach, the state has seen a rise in heated exchanges and physical confrontations among rival party supporters.

In response, the police department has issued a heightened alert across sensitive areas, urging political factions and their supporters to practice restraint as the campaign enters its final and crucial phase.