Mumbai, Jan. 8 -- A surge in violent incidents, including the murder of a senior Congress leader, has marred campaigning ahead of the January 15 municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, raising concerns over law and order during the crucial final phase of polling preparations.
The most serious incident occurred in Akot town of Akola district, where Maharashtra Congress vice-president Hidayat Patel (55) died on Wednesday morning after succumbing to stab injuries. Police said Patel was attacked on Tuesday afternoon outside a mosque. The accused, identified as Ubed Patel (25), was arrested within hours. Investigators stated that the attack appeared to stem from a long-standing family dispute, with the accused alleging that Patel was re...