Maharashtra Congress Leader Chandrakant Handore Faces Backlash Over Remarks Against Chief Election Commissioner

Mumbai, September 26 (Daily Kiran) : Chandrakant Handore, a prominent Congress MP from Maharashtra, has stirred controversy following his recent comments about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking amid ongoing disputes involving the Election Commission and the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Handore used derogatory language directed at Kumar and called for his arrest and prosecution.

During an interview, Handore accused the Chief Election Commissioner of attempting to undermine democracy. He also referenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of “vote theft,” asserting that the party has long questioned the electoral process.

Handore, a senior figure in the Maharashtra Congress, has had a notable political career, serving in various capacities from mayor to cabinet minister. He represented the Chembur constituency in the 12th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and held the position of Cabinet Minister in the Social Justice Department during Vilasrao Deshmukh’s government.

His political journey includes a significant victory in the 2004 Maharashtra Assembly elections, where he defeated Deepak Nikhilje, the brother of gangster Chhota Rajan. This win solidified Handore’s status in state politics, leading to his eventual role as a cabinet minister.

Before entering politics, Handore worked as a kerosene agent for the Indian Oil Corporation. He has held several key positions within the Maharashtra Congress, including serving as the Vice President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee from 2014 to 2021. He was appointed as the Executive President of the committee in February 2021 and has also been responsible for the Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee.

In 2022, Handore was nominated as a candidate for the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections but faced defeat, attributed to cross-voting. However, he successfully secured a seat in the Rajya Sabha in 2024.

Once considered a formidable force in Eastern Mumbai’s political landscape, Handore’s influence has waned since the Congress lost power in Maharashtra. His recent comments about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have reignited discussions about his political standing.