Latest news with #MaharashtraPradeshCongressCommittee
Hans India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Maha Cong chief Sapkal slams BJP over its 'obsession with Congress-free India'
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday said that in its obsession with creating a Congress-free India, the BJP has itself become Congress-filled. Sapkal in his address at the two-day workshop for newly appointed Congress office bearers said: "Congress is the oldest and most experienced political party in the country, committed to its ideology. 'Congress has strong and capable leadership and dedicated workers. In contrast, BJP is like a witch that devours members from other parties. If you look at the Chief Minister's circle or the cabinet, you will see mostly Congress people. They claim to have one crore members and a leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but that leadership is hollow and weak. That's why they are forced to induct Congress workers — a tragedy in itself. In their obsession with creating a Congress-free India, the BJP has itself become Congress-filled." Sapkal said that the Congress party does not believe in waking up only during elections and becoming inactive afterwards; it is a continuous movement working towards self-rule. Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said there are many challenges ahead. Congress has never considered power as supreme; it has worked keeping Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities in mind. 'BJP, however, is running the government only for two industrialists. Power should be for the common man. Connect with the people, build your identity through work and merit. Go to every home, understand people's problems, and work with the vision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar,' he added. Wadettiwar said that the BJP alliance runs a looter government in Maharashtra. They have massive power, ED, and CBI at their disposal. Loot is rampant, and 40 per cent commission is being pocketed, he alleged. Senior leader and Congress Working Committee member Balasaheb Thorat said that the party has seen difficult times and defeats, yet it has risen again to victory. 'The current state government's functioning is appalling — assaults happen inside the Assembly, legislators brawl in the canteen, gunfire takes place, and corruption is rampant. We must take up issues close to the public's heart — banking, farmers' concerns, and the large-scale corruption in NAFED. Work on these issues and the people will stand with us,' he commented. Thorat assured, adding that Congress will bring governments that uphold its ideology and the Constitution.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bais named Cong Nagpur rural prez
Nagpur: Congress on Tuesday night announced the names of new office bearers district units of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) along with constitution of the political affairs committee. Over 370 leaders were named in various committees as well as offices of the MPCC. In Nagpur rural, Ashwin Bais has been appointed as the president. Bais is a close aide of former cabinet minister Sunil Kedar. Bais had been helming the affairs as working president of the rural unit and now gets full time charge. Many veteran politicians, like Vijay Wadettiwar, Mukul Wasnik, Avinash Pande, Nitin Raut, Sunil Kedar will be part of the political affairs committee. Nagpur-based leaders like Prafulla Gudhe, Nitin Kumbhalkar are part of the executive committee. Vishal Muttemwar, Sandesh Singalkar are some of the Nagpur leaders who have been appointed as general secretaries. Nagpur's Atul Londhe continues to be among the five senior spokespersons of the party.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Compensate farmers before kharif sowing ends: Cong
Pune: State Congress members have prepared a report on crop damages because of the recent heavy rains and demanded the govt release compensation for farmers before kharif sowing ends. The report is based on field visits by Congress members. The party has accused the Maharashtra govt of neglecting farmers' issues. Additonally, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has sought an appointment with governor CP Radhakrishnan to submit the said report. Though the party has suspended all rallies for the next few days following the plane crash in Ahmedabad, MPCC will hold a statewide Mashal Morcha to raise various issues, including farmers' problems, thereafter. Speaking to TOI, MPCC chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said, "Our party members have visited villages to understand the existing problems. The govt is clearly neglecting farmers, whose condition is beyond imaginable. Heavy rains for three weeks have destroyed crops across the state and onion growers have suffered huge losses. That apart, fruit-growing farmers have also incurred losses. All farmers need immediate govt help, but they have only received promises, so far. " The state govt has already announced release of compensation based on reports by local officials. However, the Congress state president claimed it was not enough. "The criteria are such that farmers are barely getting any money. Our demand is they be paid Rs20,000 per acre as compensation. We also demand the govt use remote sensing technology to assess crop damage, which will help the govt speed up the process," he said. Sapkal said, "For the agrarian economy, kharif is the most important season when maximum crops are produced and revenue earned. If farmers do not get help now, the next year will be difficult for them. Therefore, our demand is the state release the money, which farmers may use for kharif sowing activities." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress challenges Centre to present development record on global indices
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Monday (June 9, 2025) called upon the Narendra Modi-led Central government to present a detailed and globally benchmarked account of its development record over the past 11 years. Speaking at a press conference in Nagpur, Mr. Sapkal criticised the recent publicity campaign launched by the Union government highlighting its achievements and urged that any such account be evaluated through international metrics such as the Human Development Index, the Happiness Index, and the Global Hunger Index, as compiled by institutions like UNICEF, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization. 'The Modi government must answer why it failed to deliver on key promises - including two crore jobs annually, doubling farmers' income, implementing the Swaminathan Commission report, and developing smart cities,' Mr. Sapkal said. Alleging that India's developmental momentum had slowed under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led regime, the Congress leader said, 'Under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the country was on a growth trajectory. But in the last 11 years, we have regressed on multiple fronts.' Responding to questions on the possibility of reunification among factions of the Nationalist Congress Party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Mr. Sapkal said such decisions rested with the respective parties. 'As the Maha Vikas Aghadi, we contested the last two elections together. Similarly, the INDIA bloc stands united against forces undermining democracy and the Constitution. Our alliances will strengthen with those committed to safeguarding these values,' he said. Mr. Sapkal added that alliance-related decisions for the upcoming municipal elections would be taken at the local level in consultation with other coalition partners.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress questions ceasefire timing, to take out rally
Nagpur: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Wednesday accused the BJP-led coalition govt of being apathetic towards farmers reeling under severe losses due to unseasonal May rains and demanded immediate relief measures. "The govt is sleeping while farmers are facing an unprecedented crisis. Conduct a panchnama of losses and provide compensation without delay," he told the media. Sapkal criticised the cancellation of the ₹1 crop insurance scheme , calling the replacement policy ineffective and against farmers. "The earlier scheme at least offered some compensation. Now, even after allegations of a scam, there's no accountability or corrective action," he said, demanding that the original ₹1 scheme be reinstated. With the kharif season nearing, Sapkal alleged that the state agriculture department was unprepared. "Bogus seeds are flooding the market, and linking of fertilisers with seed purchases continues unchecked. The govt merely announces action but does nothing on the ground," he said. He condemned the diversion of funds from the social justice and tribal development departments to welfare schemes like Ladki Bahin. "It is unconstitutional and unjust to divert resources meant for Dalits, tribals, and OBCs. If the state is facing a financial crunch, the BJP should seek a special package from the Centre," said Sapkal, urging CM Devendra Fadnavis, and deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar to take immediate steps. Commenting on the ceasefire following Operation Sindoor, Sapkal questioned the Modi govt's silence. "Why was a ceasefire declared just when our soldiers were gaining an upper hand? Did the US mediate? Has the Shimla Agreement been scrapped? The PM must answer. He didn't even attend the all-party meeting. A special session of Parliament must be convened," he demanded. To commemorate the martyrdom of Rajiv Gandhi and honour bravery of Indian soldiers, Sapkal announced that the Congress will organise a Tiranga Yatra in every district of Maharashtra on May 21. "From Mahatma Gandhi to the martyrs of Pahalgam, we owe our respect to those who sacrificed for the country," he said. Commenting on his meeting with NCP founder Sharad Pawar, Sapkal clarified that it was a goodwill visit. "This was my first meeting with Pawar Saheb since taking over. His five decades of experience is invaluable," he said.
