Maharashtra: Maharashtra Congress President Harsh Vardhan Sapkal launched a scathing attack on the BJP government in Mumbai on Saturday. He said that anger among young people against the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra is steadily growing. He alleged that the government is filing false cases against young people in an attempt to suppress their voices, but asserted that they would not be intimidated.
Sapkal said the growing anger among the youth was clearly visible during the protest held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Friday. According to him, the young people who participated in the demonstration raised serious questions concerning democracy and the Constitution and would not back down despite cases being registered against them.
It is noteworthy that the “Cockroach Janata Party” held a large demonstration at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Friday. During the protest, participants prominently raised the issue of alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking to reporters, Sapkal said that young people had taken to the streets to protect the country’s Constitution and democracy, adding that the government could not suppress their voices through pressure or intimidation. He also questioned Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, asking why he had not responded publicly to letters allegedly sent to him by two Election Commissioners and the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra.
Sapkal cited the long march by tribal students from Nashik to Mumbai and the student protests in Pune over alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) as examples of growing youth discontent. He said that the students were demanding the removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, whom he described as being close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Referring to the severe drought situation in Maharashtra, Sapkal expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Baramati on November 3, would announce a special relief package for distressed farmers in the state. He said the package should include financial assistance of ₹1 lakh per hectare.
Regarding the upcoming Legislative Council elections, Sapkal clarified that there were no disagreements or deadlocks over seat-sharing within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). He said that two of the five constituencies currently have sitting Congress members, and the party has decided to give them another opportunity.
The Congress has also announced its candidate for the Amravati constituency, while positive discussions with alliance partners are continuing over the remaining two seats. The elections are being held for Graduate and Teachers’ constituencies, and Sapkal said all MVA partners are working together to strengthen coordination ahead of the polls.
