Mumbai: A statement by the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Harshvardhan Sapkal comparing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb created uproarious scenes in both houses of the state legislature on Monday. Members from the ruling side demanded strict action against Sapkal which led to disruptions in both- the state assembly and the state council.
In the state assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule in the state council promised action after verifying the comments. BJP MLA Ranjit Sawarkar raised Sapkal’s remarks in the Assembly, stating that such statements were inappropriate. He demanded that Sapkal, who is not a member of the House, be cautioned. Responding to this, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that remarks made for attention would be verified, and action would be taken if necessary.
About MPCC Chief's Remarks
During a two-day tour of the Konkan, Sapkal had said on Sunday that Fadnavis was “equally cruel” as Aurangzeb and criticized the chief minister for not addressing issues like the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. Congress leader Bhai Jagtap, however, denied Sapkal had made such a statement. Soon after the state Council took up business on Monday, the BJP member Pravin Darekar and the NCP member Amol Mitkari raised the issue calling the statement to equate Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highly condemnable.
Demand Made By BJP Member Pravin Darekar
Darekar demanded that a case be filed against Sapkal and strict action taken to send a clear message. Both the members condemned the statement. Leader of the Opposition Ambadas Danve declared that personal attacks should not be made against anyone. But he accused the government of having an “Aurangzeb-like mentality.” Shashikant Shinde, from the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), supported Danve’s comments and allegations.
Congress Leader Bhai Jagtap Defends MPCC Chief
Congress leader Bhai Jagtap, however, defended the state Congress chief and said he never made such a statement. After witnessing the commotion, Ram Shinde, Chairman of the state council adjourned the house for 10 minutes. Later in the afternoon, Sapkal sought to clear the air with an explanation that his statement was a comparison of the governance under the Mahayuti rule and the Aurangzeb’s rule. He said his remarks were not meant to be personal but said BJP leaders had wrongly claimed that he compared Fadnavis to the cruel Aurangzeb.
Sapkal said, “I never made any personal attack on Fadnavis or used derogatory language." He declared that by accusing him of comparing Fadnavis to Aurangzeb, the BJP leaders themselves were making Fadnavis the equivalent of Aurangzeb.
