Mumbai: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal has strongly criticized the BJP-led government in the state, calling it "shameless and helpless." Sapkal was reacting to the government's decision to give the Sports Ministry to a minister who was allegedly involved in a controversy.
Sapkal alleged that the government's decision to give the Sports Ministry to the minister was a mockery of the system. He also questioned the government's intentions, saying that they were trying to give Olympic status to the game of Rummy and award the Shiv Chhatrapati Krida Puraskar to its players.
Sapkal also condemned the BJP's stance on terrorism, saying that the party was trying to give a communal color to terrorism. He pointed out that the real verdict in the Malegaon bomb blast case was given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament a day before the court's verdict.
Tribute to Lokmanya Tilak and Anna Bhau Sathe
On the occasion of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak's death anniversary and Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe's birth anniversary, Sapkal paid tribute to the two icons. He said that the Congress party would continue to uphold the values of secularism and social justice.
Government's Hypocrisy
Sapkal accused the government of hypocrisy and double standards. He said that the government's decision to divert funds from the Social Justice Department to the Ladki Bahin scheme was a clear example of their disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law.
Congress Party's Stand
Responding to questions about the recent defections from the Congress party, Sapkal said that the party was based on ideology and would not be weakened by the departure of a few leaders. He wished those who left the party well and said that the party would continue to work for the welfare of the people.
