Maharashtra Congress chief Sapkal likens Mahayuti govt to ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’; accuses BJP of insulting Shivaji

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance is operating recklessly, with internal conflicts among ministers, and power-hungry individuals occupying positions of authority. This is a government-run by gangs, much like ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, and it is the people who are paying the price, said Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshvardhan Sapkal.

Speaking at a press conference in Ratnagiri, Sapkal strongly criticized the BJP-led alliance government. He pointed out that law and order in the state have deteriorated significantly. “In Beed district, a sarpanch was brutally murdered, and the public has seen who was responsible. Now, after ‘Aka’, we have ‘Khoka’ (a reference to corruption and scandals). One minister has been convicted for providing fake documents, while the guardian minister of Sindhudurg makes reckless statements daily, disrupting peace and harmony in the state. Misinformation about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is being spread. Law and order have collapsed in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg as well,” he charged. 

Sapkal said the BJP alliance government in Maharashtra has failed to deliver on its promises—it did not ensure fair prices for agricultural produce, nor did it grant loan waivers to farmers. “They came to power by securing votes from women, yet after assuming office, 10 lakh women have been deprived of their rightful benefits,” the Congress leader said. 

Sapkal accused the BJP of attempting to disrupt the Marathi identity of Konkan, which has close ties with Mumbai. “Konkan is rich in minerals, and the government wants to hand over these resources to industrialists. To ensure the local people do not resist, they are trying to create communal tensions. The ruling party is destroying Konkan for the benefit of a few industrialists. Even religious centres (Shaktipeeths) are being commercialized for business interests. The government wants the Bahujan community to remain distracted while allowing industrialists to dominate trade and commerce.”

In state and national politics, alliances are inevitable, and Congress has paid the price for it. Due to coalition politics (INDIA alliance, MVA), Congress couldn’t contest elections in Konkan. “Challenges and limitations are natural in alliances, but now the party is focused on strengthening its organization in Konkan. This effort has already started from Sindhudurg, and in the coming days, Congress will increase its representation in the region,” said Sapkal. 

“Aurangzeb’s tomb is a symbol of Shivaji Maharaj’s valour. Aurangzeb was a cruel ruler—he imprisoned his own father, killed his brother, and declared another brother insane. It was the Marathi people who buried him in this land. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s valour is our inspiration, but BJP wants to erase his legacy. Some forces are now calling for Aurangzeb’s tomb to be destroyed. However, the tomb itself is a symbol of Shivaji Maharaj’s greatness. This is a conspiracy to erase that history. No one should glorify Aurangzeb, but ironically, BJP is the one sponsoring such glorification,” he said.

The Congress leader accused the BJP was opposed to Chhatrapati Shivaji. “The BJP was born from an ideology that opposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation. The same ideology persecuted Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, and Savitribai Phule. After Maharaj’s death, for 200 years, his samadhi was kept hidden from the public. It was Mahatma Jyotiba Phule who rediscovered it. The agenda was always to suppress Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy. BJP does not follow the Constitution, instead, it follows RSS chief Golwalkar’s 'Bunch of Thoughts'.”

Sapkal said Maharashtra Minister for Public Works, Shivendra Raje Bhosale, should read what Golwalkar and Savarkar wrote about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. “BJP’s cadres have repeatedly insulted Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj. Those who insult them receive protection and awards. In the BJP government, people like Solapurkar and Koratkar, who have disrespected Shivaji Maharaj, are shielded. Shivendra Raje, why are you tolerating this insult? Resign from a government that disrespects your ancestors,” Sapkal urged.