The Maharashtra Congress, under the leadership of state president Harshvardhan Sapkal, is gearing up for a state-wide agitation against the Mahayuti government, accusing it of intentionally delaying municipal elections to avoid decentralisation of power. Amid rising public discontent over water shortages, inflated electricity bills, and alleged scams in key welfare schemes, the Congress sees this agitation as a way to bring grassroots issues to the forefront and re-energize its base ahead of future elections.
Power centralisation, not democracy, driving delay: Congress
Harshvardhan Sapkal alleged that the BJP is fundamentally opposed to decentralisation and local governance. According to him, delaying municipal elections reflects the party’s ideological preference for centralised power. He also criticised the BJP and RSS for promoting a vision of India that excludes diversity, pointing to the controversy over Aurangzeb’s tomb as a deliberate distraction from pressing governance issues. Sapkal said, “They want to demolish anything that doesn’t fit their narrative, including parts of Hinduism that don’t align with their views.”
Beyond political ideology, Harshvardhan Sapkal took aim at the state’s handling of basic utilities. He called the central government’s Jal Jeevan Mission a scam, stating that it has failed to benefit those who actually need clean drinking water. He cited the ongoing severe water crisis in rural Maharashtra as a result of negligence and poor implementation.
Rising bills, failed schemes add to public anger
The Congress leader also attacked the Fadnavis-led government over the ‘Jalyukt Shivar’ project, calling it another failed attempt to misuse public funds. He linked it to what he called the latest “scandal” — the Smart Electricity Bill — accusing the government of overcharging consumers by 30-40%. Despite promises to reduce tariffs, people are now reportedly receiving inflated bills, eroding public trust.
He further alleged that the BJP government at both state and central levels is undermining democratic institutions by silencing the Opposition in the assembly. Harshvardhan Sapkal claimed that the government is engaging in “bulldozer politics” and ignoring questions raised by Opposition leaders.
At a time when the Congress is looking to rebuild after recent electoral setbacks, Harshvardhan Sapkal’s leadership is positioning the party for an ideological battle, not just electoral gains. His strategy revolves around grassroots mobilisation and direct confrontation with BJP policies he deems anti-democratic and anti-people.
over delayed municipal polls and rising public issues
The Maharashtra Congress, under the leadership of state president Harshvardhan Sapkal, is gearing up for a state-wide agitation against the Mahayuti government, accusing it of intentionally delaying municipal elections to avoid decentralisation of power. Amid rising public discontent over water shortages, inflated electricity bills, and alleged scams in key welfare schemes, the Congress sees this agitation as a way to bring grassroots issues to the forefront and re-energize its base ahead of future elections.
Power centralisation, not democracy, driving delay: Congress
Speaking to CNN-News18, Sapkal alleged that the BJP is fundamentally opposed to decentralisation and local governance. According to him, delaying municipal elections reflects the party’s ideological preference for centralised power. He also criticised the BJP and RSS for promoting a vision of India that excludes diversity, pointing to the controversy over Aurangzeb’s tomb as a deliberate distraction from pressing governance issues. Sapkal said, “They want to demolish anything that doesn’t fit their narrative, including parts of Hinduism that don’t align with their views.”
Beyond political ideology, Sapkal took aim at the state’s handling of basic utilities. He called the central government’s Jal Jeevan Mission a scam, stating that it has failed to benefit those who actually need clean drinking water. He cited the ongoing severe water crisis in rural Maharashtra as a result of negligence and poor implementation.
Rising bills, failed schemes add to public anger
The Congress leader also attacked the Fadnavis-led government over the ‘Jalyukt Shivar’ project, calling it another failed attempt to misuse public funds. He linked it to what he called the latest “scandal” — the Smart Electricity Bill — accusing the government of overcharging consumers by 30-40%. Despite promises to reduce tariffs, people are now reportedly receiving inflated bills, eroding public trust.
He further alleged that the BJP government at both state and central levels is undermining democratic institutions by silencing the Opposition in the assembly. Sapkal claimed that the government is engaging in “bulldozer politics” and ignoring questions raised by Opposition leaders.
