14 July,2026 04:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sapkal attacks BJP, RSS over alleged Ram Mandir donation (Pic/Special arrangement)
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshvardhan Sapkal on Tuesday alleged that those responsible for the alleged financial irregularities related to donations for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya should be expelled from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claiming the organisation must show the courage to act against those involved.
Sapkal while speaking to the media on Tuesday after a district-wise review meeting of the Marathwada division in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Maharashtra Congress chief Sapkal accused the BJP and the RSS of exploiting the Ram Mandir issue for political gains and alleged that donations made by devotees had been misused.
Sapkal said, "The RSS should demonstrate courage by expelling everyone associated with the organisation who was involved in looting billions of rupees collected in the name of Lord Ram."
Sapkal further alleged that while the BJP and the RSS projected the construction and consecration of the Ram Mandir as a major event to claim political credit, questions have now emerged over the handling of funds.
The MPCC chief also claimed that the entire Board of Trustees should be held accountable for the alleged irregularities and criticised the reported denial of responsibility by its members.
The review meeting was attended by several Congress leaders, including MPs Dr Kalyan Kale, Dr Shivajirao Kalge and Ravindra Chavan; State Vice President Adv. Ganesh Patil; Sambhajinagar District Congress Committee President Kiran Patil Dongaonkar; Sambhajinagar City Congress President Akram Sayyad Abbas, and party spokespersons Hanmant Pawar and Surendra Ghodaskar.
Responding to speculation over the possibility of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) joining the NDA, Sapkal said such discussions had been circulating for some time. However, he pointed out that NCP (SP) Working President and MP Supriya Sule had dismissed the rumours and said her clarification should be accepted.
He also claimed that the balance of power within the ruling Mahayuti alliance was not stable.
Replying to a question on Opposition politics, Sapkal said the Congress has consistently raised issues concerning alleged threats to democracy and the Constitution, as well as examination paper leaks, including the NEET and TET examinations and alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC).
He noted that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had launched the nationwide "Chhatron Ki Gunj" campaign against the NEET paper leak, adding that the Congress has adopted an aggressive stand against the BJP-led government on the issue.
Sapkal also criticised the Maharashtra government over the agrarian situation, claiming that farmers across the state are facing a re-sowing crisis while the administration has failed to prepare for drought-like conditions.
He alleged that despite earlier assurances by the Chief Minister that the government was prepared to tackle the impact of El Niño, there was an acute shortage of water for drinking and agriculture in several regions.
