Latest news with #MaharashtraCongress
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers dying but agri minister playing rummy in Assembly, CM must act: Sapkal
1 2 3 Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday criticised the state govt, accusing its ministers and officials of arrogance, insensitivity, and moral decay. He also called for a high-level investigation into the alleged honeytrap scandal involving senior state leaders. "While six farmers commit suicide every day, the agriculture minister plays rummy in the assembly," Sapkal said, calling it as a "disgrace to Maharashtra". Responding to recent comments by CM Devendra Fadnavis in the legislature about some MLAs behaving arrogantly, Sapkal said, "It's not just the MLAs — even ministers and officials have become arrogant. The CM must show courage to curb their excesses." He called for immediate action against the agriculture minister, demanding that be be sent home. Sapkal also condemned the violence in Latur, where members of the Chhava Sanghatna who submitted a memorandum against the agriculture minister were reportedly attacked by supporters of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. "Has power gone to their heads? Hollow condemnations won't help. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo Jail the goons," Sapkal said. On the honeytrap controversy, Sapkal accused the CM of misleading the Assembly. "The honeytrap noose is around the neck of ruling party leaders. He (CM) gave false information in the legislature. A high-level probe must be conducted," he said, alleging the scandal had connections to individuals close to senior BJP leaders. Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday criticised the state govt, accusing its ministers and officials of arrogance, insensitivity, and moral decay. He also called for a high-level investigation into the alleged honeytrap scandal involving senior state leaders. "While six farmers commit suicide every day, the agriculture minister plays rummy in the assembly," Sapkal said, calling it as a "disgrace to Maharashtra". Responding to recent comments by CM Devendra Fadnavis in the legislature about some MLAs behaving arrogantly, Sapkal said, "It's not just the MLAs — even ministers and officials have become arrogant. The CM must show courage to curb their excesses." He called for immediate action against the agriculture minister, demanding that be be sent home. Sapkal also condemned the violence in Latur, where members of the Chhava Sanghatna who submitted a memorandum against the agriculture minister were reportedly attacked by supporters of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. "Has power gone to their heads? Hollow condemnations won't help. Jail the goons," Sapkal said. On the honeytrap controversy, Sapkal accused the CM of misleading the Assembly. "The honeytrap noose is around the neck of ruling party leaders. He (CM) gave false information in the legislature. A high-level probe must be conducted," he said, alleging the scandal had connections to individuals close to senior BJP leaders.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sapkal blames CM Fadnavis for scuffle in Vidhan Bhavan; says he must resign as penance
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshawardhan Sapkal on Saturday held Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responsible for the scuffle between the supporters of two MLAs on the state legislature complex premises, and demanded his resignation as a form of penance. Addressing a press conference here, he also questioned the BJP-led government over the passage of the special Public Security Bill , seeking to know whether the law would apply to Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as well. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Data Science others Finance Cybersecurity Project Management MBA Product Management healthcare Degree Operations Management Digital Marketing Design Thinking Healthcare CXO Management Public Policy Data Analytics Technology Leadership Artificial Intelligence PGDM Others Data Science MCA Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Supporters of NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar clashed in the Vidhan Bhavan , the legislature complex in south Mumbai, on Thursday evening when the House was in session. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Shocking videos of the two groups pummelling each other and having to be dragged back by security personnel went viral on social media, causing an embarrassment to the government. CM Fadnavis also expressed displeasure over the incident, saying the image of everyone in the legislature has been maligned due to what happened in Vidhan Bhavan. Live Events Speaking about the issue, Sapkal said, "CM Fadnavis is responsible for the scuffle in the Vidhan Bhavan premises. He must resign from the post as a form of penance." Accusing the BJP of nurturing "goons and hooligans" to target opposition members, he said the same culture has now entered the sacred premises of the legislature. "What the public witnessed during the monsoon session was not democracy in action, but a disgraceful spectacle. People send their representatives to the legislature to address issues like farmers' distress, unemployment, women's safety and crop insurance. Yet, none of these were meaningfully discussed. Instead, the session was marred by an unprecedented brawl inside the Vidhan Bhavan," he said. Sapkal likened the incident to a WWE match and blamed Fadnavis for bringing such a "violent culture" into democratic institutions. Referring to past incidents, he cited the example of a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA)-accused person being supported by BJP leaders in Akkalkot, and an MLA from the ruling party involved in a violent altercation at the MLA hostel canteen. "The BJP is reaping what it has sown. The very culture of goondaism it promoted is now turning against it. The people of Maharashtra are outraged, but those in power are immune, sitting atop the sanctum of power," Sapkal said. He accused the BJP of dragging Maharashtra's democracy to new lows, asserting that the party neither respects the Constitution nor the state's traditions. Last week, both houses of the state legislature passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of Left-wing extremist organisations with focus on 'urban Naxalism'. The bill, which has stringent provisions, including hefty fines and jail term up to seven years for those found guilty, has sparked criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties, who view it as a tool to suppress dissent under the pretext of national security. Speaking about it, Sapkal reiterated the Congress' opposition to it and questioned whether the law would apply to organisations like Bajrang Dal and the RSS. "Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has remained silent on this crucial question. But Congress will continue to oppose the bill both inside and outside the legislature," he said. The Congress leader claimed that the trail of honeytrap allegations leads to the Rs 20,000 crore corruption in the Samruddhi Expressway. "Despite denials from the CM, it is evident that something serious has occurred. The government is trying to bury the matter to shield corruption. Fadnavis' statements are outright lies," Sapkal alleged. Congress MLA Nana Patole on Thursday demanded that the Maharashtra government make a formal statement in the assembly on an alleged "honeytrap" racket targeting state officials in Thane, Nashik and Mantralaya (secretariat) in Mumbai. Speaking in the assembly, Patole claimed he had all the "proof" related to the allegations in a pen drive which is in his possession.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress notice to MLA over ‘silence' in Assembly
Maharashtra Congress has issued a notice to its MLA and legislative party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, inquiring why he and other party MLAs did not speak up against the public security bill when it was approved in the Assembly. The party has issued a note to its legislators directing them to argue against the bill; however, not only Congress MLAs, but Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP SP legislators, too, preferred to remain silent in the House. CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole was the only person in the 288-member Assembly who raised his hand against the bill and asked the speaker to note his voice as dissent. BJP assigns issues to leaders to comment on The BJP, known for its 'micro-planning', is doing the same in Maharashtra with an aim to expand its voter base and garner ideological support. The party has allocated specific issues to its leaders, directing, when the need arises to make a comment before the media over the issue, only the leader assigned to the matter should speak. As part of the excercise, minister Nitesh Rane and MLA Gopichand Padalkar have been reportedly assigned to speak on communal issues with an agenda to consolidate the BJP's Hindu vote bank, while MLA Atul Bhatkalkar has been asked to target the Pawars and Thackerays. MLC Chitra Wagh and others have been tasked to defend CM Fadnavis when he is targetted.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
How was security bill passed sans protest: Cong to CLP neta
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress has sought an explanation from the party's legislature body on the passage of the special public security bill in the assembly last week without any protest from the party. State party chief Harshwardhan Sapkal wrote a letter to Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday to explain how the bill was allowed to be passed without Congress registering its opposition, sources said on Thursday. Sapkal has sought an explanation from Wadettiwar on directives of the party high command, they said. Talking to reporters, Wadettiwar admitted he has been asked to give an explanation and said he was not aware the bill was to be taken up in the assembly on July 10 - the day he was in his home district Chandrapur for a bank election - otherwise he would have "torn" the bill. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Last week, both houses of the legislature passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of left-wing extremist organisations. The bill, which has stringent provisions, including hefty fines and jail term up to seven years for those who are found guilty, has sparked criticism from some civil society groups and the opposition parties, who view it as a tool to suppress dissent under the pretext of national security. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola When the bill was to be taken up for passage in the assembly on July 10, notes containing pointers to speak in the House were circulated to all party MLAs, sources said. "But our CLP leader remained absent that day," a source said. The next day, Congress MLCs protested and staged a walkout in the Upper House after voicing opposition to the bill, as the party issued a strict directive that what happened in the assembly should not be repeated in the council, sources said. On June 30, when All India Congress Committee's Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala called a meeting of state party leaders, it was decided to oppose the bill. But in the assembly, only the lone CPI (M) MLA opposed the bill.
Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra special public security bill
The Congress central leadership has sought a reply from the Maharashtra Legislative Party as to how it allowed the passing of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill without opposition. The Congress party came under criticism after it neither protested, nor submitted a dissenting note in the Legislative Assembly against the bill, despite its leadership voicing opposition to it. 'The All-India Congress Committee had time and again discussed the need to oppose (the bill), and the issue was discussed at the highest level. A clear message was conveyed in this regard to the Maharashtra Pradesh Committee,' said a letter sent by Maharashtra Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal. Two days ago, Sapkal, on the instructions of Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, wrote to Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, group leader in the Legislative Council Satej Patil, and party chief whip Amin Patel. 'A detailed explanation be submitted (to the AICC) on the events (when the bill was passed),' it said, adding that an explanation of the party's stand taken within the legislature and the reasons behind it should be submitted at the earliest. Sources within the Congress told The Indian Express that the high command has taken the incident of the peaceful passage of the bill seriously and hence a detailed report is being sought. According to sources, the party high command was unhappy after the bill had a smooth passage and nobody except one MLA from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) registered opposition to it. Faced with backlash, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) walked out of the Legislative Council the next day, registering protest. The bill was sent to the Joint Scrutiny Committee comprising 25 members from the Legislative Assembly and Council. As per the rules, the members of the committee cannot participate in the discussion unless they submit a dissent note. Vijay Wadettiwar, Nana Patole and Satej Patil were members of the committee from the Congress.
