Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal launched a scathing attack on the state government, accusing ministers and ruling party office-bearers of arrogance, insensitivity, and lawlessness. He demanded that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde show the courage to take strict action against erring ministers and party workers instead of targeting only the opposition.
Referring to the recent controversy where Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate was caught playing an online rummy game during a legislative session, Sapkal said, “At a time when six farmers are committing suicide every day in the state, the Agriculture Minister is busy playing rummy in the Assembly. This is a shameful reflection on the governance of Maharashtra.”
Sapkal questioned how the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers could remain silent despite such incidents. He added, “The CM recently said MLAs have become arrogant. But does he not see that it’s not just the MLAs—ministers and party office-bearers too are out of control?”
He further alleged that Agriculture Minister Kokate has a history of insulting farmers—calling them beggars and making derogatory remarks about farm loan waivers. “Now, he shamelessly plays a mobile game during an important Assembly session. This kind of behavior must be punished,” Sapkal demanded.
Referring to the recent incident in Latur, where members of the Chhava organization staged a protest against NCP State President Sunil Tatkare by handing him a set of playing cards, Sapkal condemned the violent reaction by alleged supporters of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. “These goons brutally assaulted peaceful protesters. Is this how democracy functions? Power has gone to their heads, but this intoxication of power won’t last long,” he warned.
Demands for High-Level Probe into Honeytrap Case
The Congress also raised serious allegations about a honeytrap scandal involving ministers and officials in the state government. “Congress brought this issue to the floor of the Assembly, but the Chief Minister flatly denied everything with bravado,” Sapkal said. “His statement was false. The links of this scandal reach very close to senior BJP leaders. A photo has even surfaced showing a person involved in the honeytrap case with a Cabinet Minister close to the CM.”
He accused the government of trying to suppress the matter and reiterated the demand for a high-level investigation into the honeytrap scandal. “The gravity of this issue cannot be ignored. The state deserves the truth,” Sapkal concluded.
