The brutal murder of senior Congress leader Hidayat Patel has sent shockwaves through Akola district, plunging the region into a state of grief, anger, and intense political recrimination. Patel was laid to rest on Wednesday evening in his native Pushyani village in Akot taluka, amid an emotionally charged atmosphere that laid bare the simmering tensions.
Final Rites and Political Condemnation
The burial took place after evening prayers at the graveyard on the Pune-Popatkhed Road. The somber ceremony was attended by a large gathering, including MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal, Amravati MP Balwant Wankhede, and numerous senior party leaders and workers from Akola and Amravati districts, alongside hundreds of supporters.
Seizing the moment, Sapkal launched a fierce attack on the state government. "Law and order in Maharashtra has completely collapsed," he declared. "Murders are taking place inside religious places due to political rivalry. This is highly condemnable. For the sake of power, law and order is being compromised." His statement underscored the political firestorm ignited by the killing.
Family's Protest and Police Action
Earlier on Wednesday, the situation was tense outside the Akot rural police station. Patel's family members and supporters staged a protest, accusing the police of delaying the arrest of the accused. Their anguish brought proceedings to a standstill.
In a powerful display of dissent, after the post-mortem, the body was kept in an ambulance for nearly three hours. The protesters refused to let it be moved until every accused person was taken into custody. The impasse was only resolved after senior police officers intervened, assuring the family that the investigation would be led by an IPS-rank officer and the case would be fast-tracked.
According to police reports, the attack occurred on Sunday in Pushyani village. Patel was allegedly assaulted with a sharp weapon by Ubed Patel after offering namaz, sustaining fatal injuries to his neck and abdomen.
Arrests, Accusations, and Patel's Political Legacy
Following a complaint by the family, police have arrested the main accused, Ubed Patel. Cases have also been registered against six others. Notably, the list of accused includes NCP (Ajit) district president Mohd Badrujama and former ZP chairman and Congress leader Rajiv Boche. The remaining suspects are currently absconding.
Hidayat Patel was a towering figure in Akola's political landscape. He contested the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections as the Congress party's official candidate from Akola, finishing second and third respectively behind then MP Sanjay Dhotre. He held the distinction of being the first Muslim candidate after Azhar Hussein in 1971 to fight parliamentary polls from this constituency.
Beyond electoral politics, Patel was a influential force in the co-operative sector. He served as a director of the Akola District Central Co-operative Bank and held key positions in the Akot Agricultural Produce Market Committee.
A District on Edge
With the district heading towards municipal elections, Patel's killing has triggered a major political stir. Leaders across party lines have condemned the attack, demanding the swift arrest of all accused and the strictest punishment for those responsible. The incident has cast a long shadow over the region's political climate, raising urgent questions about security and rivalry.
