Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 8: Shiv Sena leader and BMC poll candidate Haji Salim Qureshi was stabbed while campaigning in Mumbai’s Bandra area, police said on Thursday, adding that the politician is out of danger.

According to police, the incident occurred on Wednesday evening at Sant Dnyaneshwar Nagar in Bandra, where Qureshi sustained cut injuries to his stomach. He was immediately shifted for medical treatment and his condition is reported to be stable. Police have registered a case and efforts are underway to identify and nab the attackers.

Qureshi is contesting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections from Ward No. 92 on a Shiv Sena ticket.

Meanwhile, in another incident linked to election campaigning, Shiv Sena leader Pramod Nana Bhangire alleged that stones were hurled at his car during a campaign event in a society near Shreeram Chowk in Pune. Speaking to reporters, Bhangire said the stone-pelting also targeted Shiv Sena candidate Sarika Pawar.

“The police have visited the spot and are examining CCTV footage. This is completely wrong and should not happen during democratic elections,” he said.

Separately, AIMIM Maharashtra chief Imtiaz Jaleel alleged that his party’s rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was attacked by unidentified persons. He claimed that 20–25 armed individuals vandalised vehicles and assaulted party workers, leaving several supporters injured.

“We had permission for the rally and police were present. Despite the attack, we completed the rally peacefully. Such hooliganism will not deter us,” Jaleel said.

The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations, including BMC, Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.

Polling is scheduled for January 15, with counting on January 16.