The Congress party launched a scathing attack on the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, labeling its first year in power a 'black year for citizens'. The indictment came during a press conference held in Nagpur on Thursday.
A Year of Decline and Centralisation
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar led the charge. They accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of overseeing a steady collapse in governance, rising public insecurity, and a worsening law and order situation. A core allegation was the centralisation of key decisions outside the state, with leaders claiming that even appointments like guardian ministers are decided in Delhi by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
'He has become a rubber stamp. Maharashtra's self-respect now lies elsewhere,' the Congress leaders asserted, arguing that the state's autonomy has been severely compromised.
Allegations of Scams, Neglect, and Social Discord
The leaders presented a litany of failures across sectors. They alleged that the administration has slipped backward in public safety, agriculture, women's welfare, and the economy. Specifically, they pointed to:
- A major Pune land scam, naming Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as the 'main culprit' and demanding a white paper on the issue.
- The award of contracts worth ₹1.67 lakh crore without tenders, prioritizing contractors over farmers.
- Continued farmer suicides and an alleged failure to send relief proposals for unseasonal rains to the Centre.
- Rising crimes against minors and insensitive remarks by a minister of state for home in a rape case.
- The transfer of land worth Rs 10 lakh crore to corporate groups in Mumbai, with warnings of similar attempts in Nagpur.
- Provision of stale food to children in Anganwadis.
- Fuelling communal tensions by deploying youth to provoke conflicts.
A 'Shameless' Alliance and Youth Exodus
Sapkal criticised the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar)—as a power-driven grouping with no ideological coherence. 'This triple-engine government has turned into an Adharmi gang. It is the most shameless and weak administration Maharashtra has seen,' he stated.
On employment, the leaders highlighted the continued migration of youth from regions like Vidarbha to cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru. 'Despite Vidarbha having a chief minister, its young people see no opportunities here. This is the administration's failure,' they said, underscoring the government's inability to generate local jobs.
In conclusion, the Congress leaders reiterated that for ordinary citizens and farmers, the past year under the BJP-led government was truly a period of regression, marking a dark chapter for the state.
