MVA wins three of five Legislative Council seats, says Congress chief Sapkal; sign of change

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said on Thursday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) win in three of the five Legislative Council seats is a sign of a political shift. He specifically mentioned the re-election of Congress leader Abhijit Wanjari from Nagpur.

Speaking to reporters in Karjat, Sapkal said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had made the Nagpur Division graduates' constituency election a matter of prestige. Sapkal alleged that Fadnavis used his political influence to have candidates withdraw their nominations and to pressure opponents.

Despite the BJP's efforts, Wanjari, the sitting Congress MLC, retained the seat in a close contest. He defeated his nearest BJP rival by 3,271 votes.

According to Sapkal, Wanjari's win is all the more significant because Nagpur is regarded as a stronghold of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He called it a historic win for the Congress and claimed it showed that voters had rejected the BJP and the RSS.

The Congress leader also questioned a social media post by Fadnavis that was later deleted. Sapkal said the Chief Minister should maintain the dignity of his office. He claimed that the deletion of the post had caused embarrassment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, the Shiv Sena and the NCP. Citing reports of differences within the alliance, Sapkal said its constituents were blaming one another for the Council poll results. He claimed that the parties would eventually come together again to retain power and share posts. In his words, "It is for them to decide who will become chief minister and who will get the finance department. Maharashtra has no interest in their tussle for power."

Sapkal demanded that the state government fulfil its election promises. These include raising the monthly assistance under the Ladki Bahin scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 and waiving farmers' loans in full.

Citing drought conditions in the state, he demanded compensation of Rs 1 lakh per hectare for farmers along with a complete loan waiver. He also criticised remarks by the ruling alliance on farmer suicides. He alleged that the government's insensitivity and its failure to attend to the crisis in agriculture had worsened the situation.

On the recent Council elections, Sapkal expressed concern over allegations that cash and Paithani saris were distributed in some areas to influence voters. He said such methods were a threat to democracy and called for serious introspection.

Sapkal also accused the Centre and the state government of failing to keep their promises on protecting the environment while pushing ahead with big projects. He described these announcements as "jumlas", or empty rhetoric, and said the Congress is committed to protecting the Constitution and democratic rights.

Polling for the five graduates' and teachers' constituencies of the Maharashtra Legislative Council was held on October 23. The opposition MVA won three seats, while the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance got two. Wanjari's win in the Nagpur Division graduates' constituency was among the results the Congress leadership highlighted in particular.