03 October,2026 04:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal. File pic
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal on Saturday claimed that anger among young people against the BJP governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra was growing, and alleged that cases were being filed to suppress their voices.
Speaking to reporters, Sapkal said the protest held at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday reflected the discontent among the youth. He said young people would not be deterred by cases registered against them.
The Cockroach Janta Party had organised the protest at Shivaji Park, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
"The youth have taken to the streets to save democracy and the Constitution. The issues they have raised are important ones facing the country," Sapkal said.
Sapkal alleged that the government could not suppress people's voices through pressure and warned that the BJP would face consequences if it attempted to do so.
He also questioned why CEC Gyanesh Kumar had not spoken about letters allegedly sent to him by two Election Commissioners and the Maharashtra chief electoral officer.
"Why is Gyanesh Kumar not speaking on these letters? The BJP should answer this. The BJP should stop raising Hindu-Muslim and India-Pakistan issues to divert attention," he said.
Referring to a long march by tribal students from Nashik towards Mumbai and protests by students in Pune over alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission, Sapkal said these developments reflected dissatisfaction among young people.
"Students have been demanding the removal of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar but the government is not responding to their demand. Bhimanwar is close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The CM should act like a chief minister and should not take the stand of 'it was not me'," Sapkal said.
On Maharashtra's drought situation, Sapkal said farmers were hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected November 3 visit to Baramati would be followed by an assistance package, including Rs 1 lakh per hectare.
On the upcoming Legislative Council elections, Sapkal said there were no differences within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP).
He said Congress has sitting members in two of the five constituencies and had given them another opportunity. The party has also announced its candidate for Amravati, while discussions were underway for the remaining two seats.
"The elections are for graduates' and teachers' constituencies and parties in the MVA are working together. There is no deadlock. A meeting is being held to further strengthen coordination," Sapkal said.
(With inputs from PTI)
