07 January,2026 06:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said the murder of Hidayatullah Patel clearly shows the deteriorating law and order situation in state. File pic
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Wednesday claimed that crime has increased across the state because it does not have a full-time home minister, reported the PTI.
He demanded strict punishment for those responsible for the killing of Congress leader Hidayatullah Patel in Akola district.
Speaking at a press conference, Sapkal paid tribute to Patel and strongly condemned the attack.
Sapkal said the murder of Hidayatullah Patel clearly shows the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra.
"This killing reflects how badly law and order has collapsed in the state. The absence of a full-time home minister is directly responsible," he alleged, according to the PTI.
He demanded the immediate arrest of all accused and called for exemplary punishment to send a strong message.
According to police, Hidayatullah Patel (66), who was the state Congress vice president, was attacked with a sharp weapon on Tuesday afternoon.
The attack took place after Patel offered namaz at a mosque in Mohala village in Akot taluka of Akola district. The attack was reportedly linked to an old enmity, as per the PTI.
Patel was rushed to a private hospital in Akot and admitted to the intensive care unit, where he died on Wednesday morning.
Sapkal claimed that gangs involved in violent crimes, drug trafficking, illegal sand mining and land grabbing were operating freely across Maharashtra.
He said criminal activities were no longer limited to cities and had spread to rural areas and villages as well.
The Congress leader accused the ruling alliance of having "finished off democracy" in the state.
He alleged that the administration and the State Election Commission were acting under political pressure and that money power was being openly used in municipal and nagar panchayat elections, the news agency reported.
Sapkal claimed that bogus voting, large-scale cash distribution, and threats to Opposition candidates were leading to several unopposed elections.
Sapkal accused the Chief Minister and both Deputy Chief Ministers of encouraging intimidation to secure uncontested victories.
He also alleged that the state Assembly Speaker had pressured election officials to help candidates linked to him win unopposed.
"The Speaker is the guardian of the Constitution and the Assembly. His conduct in this matter is deeply troubling," Sapkal said, as per the PTI.
Sapkal further alleged a tacit understanding between the BJP and the AIMIM, calling them "two sides of the same coin", the PTI reported
He claimed senior BJP leaders were encouraging the AIMIM to contest elections and described the party as the BJP's "B team".
The BJP has formed an alliance with the AIMIM and other parties in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district.
(with PTI inputs)
