Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Thursday described the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) victory in three of the five Legislative Council constituencies as a sign of political change, highlighting Congress leader Abhijeet Wanjari’s re-election from Nagpur, reported the PTI.
Speaking to reporters in Karjat, Sapkal said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had made the Nagpur Division Graduates’ constituency election a prestige issue and allegedly used his political influence to persuade candidates to withdraw their nominations and put pressure on opponents, the news agency reported.
Despite the BJP’s efforts, sitting Congress MLC Wanjari retained the seat in a closely contested election, defeating his nearest BJP rival by 3,271 votes.
Sapkal calls Nagpur result significant
Sapkal described Wanjari’s victory as particularly significant because Nagpur is considered the home turf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
He called the result a historic victory for the Congress and claimed it reflected voters’ rejection of the BJP and the RSS.
The Congress leader also criticised Fadnavis over a social media post that was subsequently deleted, saying the chief minister should maintain the dignity of his office. Sapkal claimed the deletion had caused embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the PTI.
Congress targets Mahayuti over internal differences
Referring to reports of differences within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, Sapkal said its constituents were blaming one another for the Legislative Council election results.
He claimed the alliance partners would eventually come together to retain power and negotiate their share of positions.
“Who becomes the chief minister and who gets the finance portfolio is for them to decide. Maharashtra is not interested in their internal tussle for power,” he said, as per the PTI.
Sapkal urged the state government to fulfil its electoral promises, including increasing the monthly assistance under the Ladki Bahin Yojana from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 and implementing a complete farm loan waiver.
Demand for farmer compensation and loan waiver
Citing the drought situation in the state, Sapkal demanded compensation of Rs 1 lakh per hectare for farmers and a complete waiver of their farm loans.
He also criticised the ruling coalition over its remarks concerning farmer suicides, alleging that the government’s insensitivity and failure to address agrarian distress had contributed to the crisis, reported the PTI.
Referring to the recently concluded Legislative Council elections, Sapkal expressed concern over allegations that cash and ‘paithani’ sarees were distributed to influence voters in some constituencies.
He said such practices threatened democracy and required serious introspection.
According to the PTI, Sapkal also accused the Centre and the state government of making unfulfilled promises on environmental protection while pursuing major projects. He described the announcements as “jumlas”, or rhetoric, and said the Congress remained committed to defending the Constitution and democratic rights.
MVA wins three of five seats
Five graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies of the Maharashtra Legislative Council went to the polls on October 23. The Opposition MVA won three seats, while the BJP-led ruling Mahayuti alliance secured two.
Wanjari’s victory from the Nagpur Division Graduates’ constituency was among the key results highlighted by the Congress leadership.
(with PTI inputs)
