Maharashtra Congress slams CM Fadnavis, accuses BJP of Rahul Gandhi obsession

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshavardhan Sapkal today launched a sharp attack, saying CM Devendra Fadnavis is so consumed with hatred for Rahul Gandhi that, just as the Mughals always imagined Maratha generals Dhanaji-Santaji before them, Fadnavis and the BJP see only Rahul Gandhi day and night. Out of this fear, they keep criticising him daily. “The real liars sit in Delhi, while Maharashtra has a ‘Thief Minister’,” Sapkal said.

A review meeting of five districts in Marathwada was held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Present at the meeting were Pradesh President Harshavardhan Sapkal, senior leader and Congress Working Committee member Balasaheb Thorat, former minister Madhukar Chavan, MLA Amit Deshmukh, MLA Dr Vishwajeet Kadam, AICC Secretary Kunal Choudhary, MP Kalyan Kale, Sevadal State President Vilas Autade, MLC Rajesh Rathod, District Congress President Kiran Patil Dongavkar, City President Yusuf Shaikh, among others.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sapkal said, “The Supreme Court directed that local self-government elections must be held within four months, but no election programme has been announced yet, nor has the reservation been declared. However, the Congress Party has already started preparations for these elections. The decision on alliances has not been taken at the state level; instead, local units have been authorised to hold discussions with partner parties and decide.”

The review covered five districts of Marathwada, focusing on organisational building and the upcoming elections. Sapkal said, “The Congress is a party of ordinary workers, and in Marathwada, it continues to enjoy strong public support. From the Massajog–Beed padyatra, the Samvidhan Bachao Yatra in Parbhani, the Harmony Satyagraha in Parli, to the farmers’ tractor rally in Nanded, Congress has shown that the energy and enthusiasm of its workers remain alive. While some leaders have left, the grassroots workers remain firmly with Congress.”

Senior leader Balasaheb Thorat added, “Rahul Gandhi has exposed the BJP’s election fraud with the help of the Election Commission, presenting proof. Democracy in India is under threat, and it must be saved. Rahul Gandhi is fighting for this cause, with all opposition parties standing by him. Even within the state government, internal disputes are ongoing. Schemes like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana and Shravan Bal Yojana are not reaching people. This misgovernance of both the Centre and the State must be conveyed to the public. The people must know how democracy and the Constitution are being endangered. Let those who have left the party go—we need fresh growth, new energy. Keep working, and the Congress days will return.”

Former minister and MLA Amit Deshmukh said, “Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has raised the slogan across the country—‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod!’ To support this, the Congress in Maharashtra has resolved to take to the streets. We have also decided to expose the failures of the Mahayuti government during the local body elections. This oppressive government must be taught a lesson. The promises made to Marathwada have not been fulfilled, and the region’s backwardness is increasing. Both at the state and national levels, democracy is being strangled—this government must be dealt with in time. We will not rest until the Congress tricolour flies high across Maharashtra.”

Answering a question on Maratha reservation, Sapkal said, “The Congress Party firmly believes the Maratha community must get a reservation. In fact, the Congress-led coalition government in Maharashtra had given reservations earlier. We demand a caste-wise census. In Congress-ruled Telangana and Karnataka, such censuses have been carried out. We also believe the 50% cap on reservations must be removed.”

Commenting on liquor shop licences, Sapkal said, “Excise Minister Ajit Pawar’s son has links with the liquor business, while the excise department itself is under Ajit Pawar. This is an open conflict of interest and a misuse of ministerial power. Therefore, Ajit Pawar should resign.”