Ahead of BMC Election 2026, Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal accused the BJP and CM Devendra Fadnavis of manipulative politics and electoral machinations. The BJP rejected the charges and asked Sapkal to address factionalism within his party
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal hit out at BJP ahead of BMC Election 2026. File pic
With just a few hours left for BMC Election 2026, Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged that the BJP and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are playing manipulative politics, which could turn the state into another Bihar, news agency PTI reported.
In its response, BJP trashed Sapkal's allegations and advised him to tackle factionalism in the state Congress unit.
Speaking to the media, the Congress leader said that the BJP and Fadnavis have vitiated the political atmosphere of Maharashtra. Sapkal also levelled allegations of electoral machinations against the chief minister, PTI reported.
"The BJP has nurtured a poisonous weed in Maharashtra. Vigilant citizens must recognise it and uproot it in the forthcoming municipal elections. This devious politics would turn Maharashtra into another Bihar," the Maharashtra Congress chief said.
The Congress leader also referred to violence against opposition candidates in the run-up to the civic polls and cited a few incidents to support his claim.
According to Sapkal, a candidate was murdered in Solapur, while killings had also taken place in Akot and Khalapur.
"Several candidates across the state have received threats, and their families have been intimidated. All those targeted belong to opposition parties who are challenging the corrupt nexus of goons and those in power," he further emphasised.
Citing the "impressive" performance of Congress in the recently concluded municipal council elections, he appealed to voters to protect constitutional democracy without falling prey to inducements.
Responding to Sapkal, state BJP Spokesperson Ajit Chavan said that the Congress leader is not respected in his party.
While addressing the media, the BJP Spokesperson added, "Sapkal should set his house in order first. Several factions in the state Congress unit don't even respect and listen to him. He is a high-command appointee, unlike Fadnavis, who is the people's leader."
Next Mumbai mayor will be Indian and Maharashtrian: Sapkal
Sapkal had earlier said that the next mayor of Mumbai would be a "Bharatiya, Maharashtrian, and a Mumbaikar", in an apparent response to the recent remarks made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the linguistic identity of the city’s mayor.
The state Congress chief made the statement while releasing the party's manifesto for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation Election.
The manifesto outlines the party’s vision of a 'Clean and Smart Nagpur' and sets a target of winning 100 corporator seats.
(With inputs from PTI)
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