KDMC polls: Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan promises 5 years of accountable governance

KALYAN: Following the announcement of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections, Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan addressed a public meeting in Dombivli on Friday, calling upon voters to give the BJP a decisive mandate in the upcoming civic polls.

Emphasising governance and development, Chavan urged citizens to support the BJP to ensure effective administration at the local level.Addressing the gathering, Chavan said that voters should give the BJP one opportunity and assured that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would take full responsibility for the city’s progress over the next five years. “Devendra Fadnavis is the only Chief Minister who openly tells people—give us one chance and we will take responsibility for the next five years,” he said.

Chavan stressed that for Maharashtra to continue on the path of development, local self-governing bodies must also move forward under the leadership of a party with a strong and clear ideology, which, according to him, is the BJP.The rally was held in the Dombivli assembly from where Chavan is MLA which is also part of Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, an area that has witnessed considerable political friction between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) over the past few months. While BJP leaders have consistently spoken about securing the mayor’s post, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde has been advocating the Mahayuti alliance.

This rivalry escalated to the point of leaders and corporators switching sides, prompting senior leaders from both parties to intervene and restore balance by agreeing not to induct leaders from each other’s camp.Clarifying his position, Chavan said he was not there to criticise any individual or party, but to appeal for governance in the hands of a party with the right ideology. He said the BJP is best placed to resolve long-standing civic issues in Dombivli.

Warning voters against being misled during elections, he said some leaders appear only at election time and remain disconnected from the public. “Do not forget those who stay among you 24 hours a day,” he remarked.Chavan also indirectly targeted leaders who have switched parties, stating that voters should support ideology over individuals or influence. He cited Kerala as an example where people moved away from Left ideology and supported the BJP for development.

He appealed to voters to remember that they get an opportunity to choose their local self-governing representatives once every five years and should exercise their right carefully.During his speech, Chavan criticised the Congress and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over controversial remarks related to Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack. He also attacked the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, alleging that Maharashtra regressed during its tenure, while asserting that the state has made significant progress in the past year under the Fadnavis-led government.Concluding his address, Chavan urged voters to support the BJP, saying that voting for the lotus symbol means voting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and a development-oriented future.