Congress Questions Fadnavis Over Badlapur Incident and Davos Investment Claims
The Maharashtra Congress launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, criticizing his government over two major issues: the alleged sexual assault of a minor in Badlapur and what the party termed as inflated claims of investment inflows from the World Economic Forum in Davos. The opposition party accused Fadnavis of presiding over a complete collapse of law and order in the state while questioning the authenticity of his economic achievements.
Congress Condemns Deteriorating Law and Order Situation
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal strongly condemned the Badlapur incident, describing it as a reflection of the worsening security environment under the current administration. "The incident of sexual assault on a minor girl in Badlapur is infuriating and shameful," Sapkal stated. "Criminals of all kinds have unleashed chaos in Maharashtra, while the government and the law appear helpless."
Sapkal went further in his criticism, making a direct personal attack on the chief minister. "Devendra Fadnavis is the most passive, inefficient, and irresponsible chief minister Maharashtra has ever seen," he declared during his remarks to the media.
Pattern of Inaction and Political Connections Alleged
The Congress leader pointed to what he described as a pattern of government inaction in similar cases. He highlighted that a comparable incident involving schoolgirls had occurred in Badlapur approximately eighteen months earlier, but alleged that decisive action was never taken by authorities.
"In that incident, which took place in a school associated with the BJP and RSS, no action was taken against the school's chairman or secretary," Sapkal claimed. "Despite a Pocso case being registered against the school secretary, Tushar Apte, the BJP wanted to appoint him as a co-opted corporator."
Sapkal also referenced another controversial case to support his argument about deteriorating law enforcement. "Minister Bharat Gogawale's son is absconding in a case and remains in touch with his father, yet the police cannot reach him," he said. "When such ministers are in the cabinet, the high court is forced to ask why the chief minister is so helpless."
Congress Legislative Council Leader Echoes Concerns
Congress MLC and group leader in the Legislative Council Satej Patil joined the criticism, holding the state government directly responsible for incidents like the Badlapur case. "The government is responsible for incidents like the one in Badlapur," Patil asserted. "The law-and-order situation in the state has completely collapsed."
Patil questioned the administrative structure that places the home department under the chief minister's direct control. "These incidents will not stop until there is an independent home minister," he argued. "As chief minister, you are the head of all departments, so why keep the home department with you?"
Congress Questions Davos Investment Figures
Meanwhile, in a separate development in Delhi, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe addressed a press conference where he challenged the chief minister's claims regarding investment commitments secured at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Londhe questioned the validity of Fadnavis's announcement that memoranda of understanding worth Rs 30 lakh crore had been signed at the international forum. "Going by the claims of Maharashtra government in last three years, it has signed MoUs worth Rs 50 lakh crore which is almost equal to state's economy," he pointed out.
The Congress spokesperson raised political implications behind these investment announcements. "Are these numbers meant to create an impression that Fadnavis is the next prime minister face of the BJP?" Londhe asked. "Is he trying to overshadow others in the BJP by throwing these numbers?"
Demand for Transparency and Accountability
Londhe demanded greater transparency regarding the actual implementation of these investment promises. He called on the government to provide specific details about realized investments rather than merely announcing memorandum figures.
The Congress spokesperson posed several pointed questions to the administration:
- "How many of these companies are listed?"
- "How much employment is generated in reality as of now after visiting Davos for last three years?"
- "Why has the state's flagship Magnetic Maharashtra event never been held after 2018?"
The dual-pronged attack from Congress leaders represents a significant escalation in political criticism against the Fadnavis administration, combining concerns about public safety with questions about economic governance and transparency.
