‘Look Who’s Talking’: MVA Netas Question Modi Over Austerity Appeal Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, accusing him of hypocrisy and policy failures for his recent appeal to conserve fuel amid the West Asia crisis. The criticism came as part of a broader backlash against Modi’s call for citizens to reduce travel and cut fuel consumption, with MVA leaders arguing that the government’s own practices contradict its messaging. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief spokesperson Atul Londhe accused Modi of failing to lead by example, pointing out that the Prime Minister’s own travel habits—such as using large convoys and holding roadshows—undermine his appeals for austerity. “In the morning, the Prime Minister asks people to save fuel and use public transport, but by evening he is holding roadshows,” Londhe told The Times of India. He further criticized the Centre’s foreign policy, alleging that it has weakened India’s ties with Iran and Russia, depriving the country of access to cheaper oil through rupee-based trade arrangements. “The government appears to be bending before the United States despite the economic costs,” he added. MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal went a step further, labeling Modi a “compromised PM” and urging citizens not to bear the burden of the Centre’s failures. Sapkal argued that if Modi is genuinely committed to austerity, he and his ministers must adopt the same measures. “If the PM is serious about austerity, he and his ministers must practise it first,” Sapkal said, highlighting Modi’s continued use of large motorcades and extravagant events.#narendra_modi #harshwardhan_sapkal #maharashtra_pradesh_congress_committee #atul_londhe #mva_netas
Ashok Kharat Scandal Exposes Maharashtra’s Godman–Power Nexus The arrest of Ashok Kharat, a self-styled Godman from Nashik, on charges of rape, molestation, and cheating has sparked a political crisis in Maharashtra. His alleged network, which connected him to politicians across multiple parties, bureaucrats, and senior police officers, has triggered resignations, accusations, and factional maneuvering within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that eight cases had been registered against Kharat, with three women agreeing to file formal complaints. Police seized two laptops, a revolver, and 21 live cartridges during searches at his properties. Kharat, whose real name is Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat, hailed from Kahandalwadi village in Nashik district. He worked as a merchant navy officer before adopting the title “Captain” as part of his public persona. Local sources and a senior revenue officer in Nashik revealed that his formal education ended at Class 8. After returning to Nashik in 1992, he transitioned through various occupations before establishing himself as an astrologer and numerologist in 2002. The officer claimed Kharat sold cheap ornaments bought in Mumbai as “God-gifted jewellery,” often inflating their prices by hundreds of times. In 2003, he allegedly cheated a police officer and two women close to him, with a local politician intervening to protect him at the time. Over the next two decades, Kharat built a following across North Maharashtra, attracting politicians, bureaucrats, police officers, builders, and industrialists. He constructed the Ishaneshwar temple in Mirgaon village and established the Shivanika charitable trust, with Chakankar listed as a trustee.#devendra_fadnavis #chandrakant_patil #harshwardhan_sapkal #ashok_kharat #jaykumar_rawal
Honest probe into Kharat case will jail dozens of ministers: Cong The controversy surrounding arrested “godman” Ashok Kharat, who has been named in at least seven cases of rape, fraud, and exploitation, has intensified after Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Harshwardhan Sapkal claimed an impartial investigation could implicate dozens of ministers and officials. In a public statement and on social media platform X, Sapkal alleged that if the government conducts a thorough probe, “many ministers and officers will land in jail,” citing deep-rooted links between influential figures and the accused. Sapkal pointed to alleged connections between Kharat and individuals in key administrative positions, including an official currently serving in the housing authority. He also referenced images showing a Union minister with Kharat and claimed senior state leaders had close associations with the controversial “godman.” Further allegations included claims that certain political figures had performed “mystic rituals” through Kharat to secure power. The MPCC chief questioned the timing of the government’s response, asserting that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was aware of the allegations for months but failed to act earlier. Sapkal suggested that proximity to individuals linked to the case may have delayed action. He also alleged that the government’s response was triggered only after BJP allies allegedly used Kharat in occult rituals to destabilize the current leadership. According to Sapkal, “action was taken only when such activities were used against the CM,” a charge that highlights intra-political tensions. Sapkal further claimed the case is being used as leverage within political circles, stating, “The case is being used to pressure allies and internal rivals.#bjp #devendra_fadnavis #harshwardhan_sapkal #ashok_kharat #maharashtra_pradesh_congress_committee
Congress Picks Key Vid Leaders for Party Overhaul in Maharashtra The Congress party launched a statewide organisational overhaul in Maharashtra on Wednesday, appointing 37 central observers and senior leaders to spearhead a campaign aimed at rebuilding its grassroots structure ahead of key political challenges. The initiative, termed the “Organisation Creation Campaign,” was directed by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who tasked a mix of central observers and state leaders with executing the exercise across districts. The appointments were recommended by state president Harshwardhan Sapkal and state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala. Notable figures such as Balasaheb Thorat, Nana Patole, Satej Patil, Manikrao Thakre, Naseem Khan, Amit Deshmukh, Yashomati Thakur, and Nitin Raut were entrusted with key responsibilities, alongside former ministers, MPs, MLAs, and senior office-bearers. Many from Vidarbha were included in the list of campaigners. According to party leaders, the observers will travel across districts to engage directly with local office-bearers and grassroots workers, oversee organisational restructuring, and facilitate appointments at various levels. The campaign seeks to ensure that party positions, including district presidents, are filled through a structured and transparent process. The party emphasized that the initiative aims to strengthen its presence from the booth level to the state level, empower dedicated workers, and ensure transparent distribution of responsibilities. It also highlighted a focus on wider participation of women and youth in organisational roles.#congress_party #harshwardhan_sapkal #mallikarjun_kharge #ramesh_chennithala #maharashtra_pradesh_congress_committee
Sapkal questions Maha delay in Kharat probe Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal criticized the state government's handling of the Ashok Kharat case, accusing officials of delaying action despite early warnings. Speaking to media in Buldhana, Sapkal claimed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had knowledge of the case as early as Diwali last year when allegations against the self-styled godman began emerging. He questioned the government's inaction, noting that evidence collection had already started in October-November. "What was the CM doing for six months?" Sapkal asked, urging the BJP-led government to intensify the investigation. Sapkal described the case as sparking a "disturbing discourse" in Maharashtra and called for stricter measures, including additional support for the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the formation of a task force, and strict action against the accused. He also alleged that the government was prolonging the case, citing the resignation of former State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar as an example. "Cases must be registered against all those involved," he said, emphasizing the need for accountability. Linking the incident to broader societal issues, Sapkal criticized superstition as a root cause. "Society must learn from this and adopt a scientific temper," he stated, referencing late rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. He urged continued efforts to combat superstition, noting that Dabholkar's work was vital to preventing such distortions. Sapkal also raised concerns about law and order, citing an incident in Satara during a ZP election where Shiv Sena ministers Shambhuraje Desai and Makarand Patil reportedly claimed they were "manhandled by police.#devendra_fadnavis #harshwardhan_sapkal #ashok_kharat #rupali_chakankar #narendra_dabholkar
Opposition March Targets RSS, Seeks Modi’s Resignation Over ‘Epstein Files’ Allegations A joint protest organized by the Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) on Monday intensified political pressure on the ruling government, with leaders demanding that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) compel Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resign over alleged indirect references to him in the “Epstein Files.” The march, led by state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar, began at Samvidhan Square in Nagpur and moved toward the RSS headquarters in Mahal before being halted by police at Morris College. Despite restrictions, thousands of party workers gathered near the site, chanting slogans against Modi and petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Congress claimed that an indirect mention of Modi appeared in the Epstein Files, a collection of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January. Sapkal described the alleged reference as “extremely serious,” noting that individuals whose names surfaced in the files had resigned or faced legal action globally. He argued that since Modi had acknowledged the RSS’s role in his political rise, the organization should demand his resignation. Sapkal further accused Modi of “bowing before the United States” following the controversy, linking it to trade decisions and criticizing the government’s denial of permission for the march as an attempt to suppress dissent. Sapkal questioned the absence of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who was reportedly in Delhi, and raised concerns about the PM’s silence on international matters.#congress #narendra_modi #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #harshwardhan_sapkal #vanchit_bahujan_aghadi
Cong, VBA denied permission to march towards RSS HQ A planned protest march by the Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Mahal was halted on Monday after authorities denied permission for the full route, citing law and order concerns. The protest, originally intended to start at Samvidhan Chowk, will now be restricted to Morris Y Point. Traffic restrictions will be enforced between 12 noon and 3 pm along the route. Vehicles traveling from Rahate Colony to Morris Y Point must turn left at the Institute of Science and right at Manas Chowk. Traffic from Kamptee Road and Kasturchand Park Metro Station towards Samvidhan Chowk will be diverted via Jaistambh Chowk and Akashwani Chowk. Additional traffic adjustments may be made depending on the situation, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Lohit Matani. The march will be led by State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar, with the protest scheduled to begin at 11 am. Party leaders have called for widespread participation to demonstrate opposition to the BJP-led Central government. The protest is linked to allegations involving the "Epstein files," with Congress leaders accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of remaining silent on the issue. They also allege a sustained BJP campaign to discredit the party’s leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. In a statement, Congress leaders criticized the Centre’s foreign policy and accused the BJP and RSS of undermining democratic values. The protest comes amid broader political tensions, with the Congress seeking to challenge the BJP’s narrative and assert its position in the state.#congress #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #harshwardhan_sapkal #vanchit_bahujan_aghadi #prakash_ambedkar
Epstein Files row: Oppn plans march to RSS HQ Nagpur: The Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) have announced a joint protest march in Nagpur on March 23, targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters. The demonstration aims to question Sangh leaders about the alleged inclusion of BJP ministers in the Epstein Files and India’s ongoing engagement with the United States. The march, organized from Samvidhan Square to the RSS headquarters in Mahal, will be led by state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar, with participation from thousands of party workers and allied groups. Sapkal, speaking to The Times of India, stated that the protest seeks to address why BJP ministers remain in office despite the revelations in the Epstein Files. He also highlighted concerns over recent trade agreements with the US, warning that these could negatively impact India’s agriculture sector. The protest underscores growing political tensions over the government’s handling of international relations and domestic economic policies. The march comes amid broader debates about the role of the RSS and BJP in shaping India’s political landscape. Critics argue that the Epstein Files, which allegedly link certain BJP leaders to controversial activities, have raised questions about the party’s integrity. Meanwhile, the trade deal with the US has sparked discussions about its potential effects on Indian farmers and industries, adding to the opposition’s demands for accountability. The event is part of a larger narrative of political mobilization, with opposition parties leveraging issues like economic policy and foreign relations to challenge the ruling government.#congress #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #harshwardhan_sapkal #vanchit_bahujan_aghadi #prakash_ambedkar
Cong protests LPG price hike, demands rollback The Indian National Congress launched widespread protests across Maharashtra in response to the recent increase in LPG cylinder prices, with the party demanding an immediate reversal of the hike and a clear policy statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Maharashtra unit president Harshwardhan Sapkal led the demonstrations, urging the government to address rising fuel costs and ensure a stable supply of LPG cylinders. The protests took place in multiple districts, including Nagpur, Pune, Thane, Wardha, Buldhana, Gondia, and Palghar, as well as towns like Tiroda, Bhiwandi, Kalyan-Dombivli, Dharashiv, Rajura in Chandrapur district, and Panvel. The party declared the agitation would continue until the government resolved concerns over fuel prices and supply shortages. Speaking at a protest in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik district, Sapkal criticized the government for burdening citizens with higher prices, attributing the rise to what he called "wrong policies" by the Central government. He argued that instead of citing global conflicts as a justification for the price hike, the government should prioritize the welfare of ordinary people. "The 60 rupee increase in LPG cylinder prices has pushed ordinary citizens deeper into inflationary pressure," Sapkal stated, calling on Modi to engage with stakeholders to address the issue. He also highlighted the dual challenges of rising prices and supply shortages, noting that small businesses such as hotels and eateries were struggling due to difficulties in obtaining commercial cylinders. The protests reflect growing public frustration with the government’s handling of fuel pricing and supply logistics.#maharashtra #narendra_modi #indian_national_congress #lpg_cylinder #harshwardhan_sapkal
