10 July,2026 12:19 PM IST | Buldhana | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Friday criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the Mumbai-Pune Expressway âMissing Link' project controversy, accusing him of showing "extreme arrogance and ego".
Speaking to the media in Buldhana, Sapkal responded to CM Fadnavis' defence of the project in the state Assembly after the opposition raised concerns following a recent landslide at the project site.
"Devendra Fadnavis repeatedly claims, 'I built the Missing Link.' But you did not build it by selling your own farmland, ancestral mansion or family jewellery. This level of narcissism and ego is uncalled for," Sapkal stated, adding that the Chief Minister seems to be "afflicted by arrogance".
Reacting to CM Fadnavis's remarks dismissing opposition criticism, Sapkal questioned the approach taken by the BJP leader while responding to concerns raised about the project.
"When I raised questions about the Missing Link project, Fadnavis responded by saying I lack understanding and brains. This is pure arrogance. I pity his mindset. The political ideology Devendra Fadnavis hails from believes that they hold a monopoly on all knowledge, and everyone else is ignorant. His statements reflect exactly that," the Congress leader remarked.
Sapkal also criticised the Chief Minister's statement that the opposition would be wiped out in a decade, claiming it reflected the ruling party's "undemocratic nature".
The Congress leader also criticised the alleged use of certain remarks directed at the opposition inside the Assembly.
"The Chief Minister used words like 'slap/face' and 'dog' while addressing the opposition in the Assembly. This language does not behove the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This is a state Assembly, not a street brawl by a water tap. A Chief Minister speaking like a street-side rowdy is deeply embarrassing," Sapkal said.
Referring to CM Fadnavis' remarks against critics, Sapkal said raising questions about public infrastructure projects is a constitutional right of the opposition.
He said concerns related to infrastructure quality, including reported water leakage in the Missing Link tunnels, should be addressed instead of criticising those asking questions.
The Congress leader also raised allegations related to major infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link and Samruddhi Mahamarg projects.
In a direct challenge to the Chief Minister, Sapkal said, "Fadnavis says some people are born after a million liars die. I openly challenge Devendra Fadnavis -- let both of us undergo a Narco Analysis test. Let the truth come out before the public regarding how much corruption actually took place in the Missing Link and Samruddhi Mahamarg projects."
(With inputs from IANS)
