Mumbai, April 15 (NationPress) Vijay Wadettiwar, the leader of the Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party, issued a strong condemnation of the MahaYuti government on Wednesday following the tragic deaths of two youths from a suspected drug overdose at a live music concert in Goregaon. He cautioned that the state would face a “significant cost” if the escalating drug crisis is not addressed.

The issue gained traction after the deaths of two young students due to an assumed drug overdose at the NESCO Centre concert. In response, a coordinated effort by the Mumbai and Kalyan police led to the apprehension of a prominent drug supplier in Kalyan, with investigations indicating the presence of an interstate drug syndicate.

Wadettiwar drew parallels between Maharashtra's current situation and the drug epidemic faced by Punjab a decade ago. He emphasized that the “grip of narcotics” is tightening throughout the state, extending beyond major urban centers like Mumbai and Pune. He noted, “The drug network has infiltrated areas from Akola and Amravati to the rural outskirts of Nagpur.”

He highlighted that incidents of drug use are increasingly emerging in Nashik, Sambhaji Nagar, and the Vidarbha region. “The Nesco incident serves as a chilling reminder of how our youth are ensnared,” he stated.

Wadettiwar presented alarming statistics to underscore the seriousness of the issue, stating that drugs valued at Rs 4,249 crore were seized in 2024 alone. Throughout 2025-26, 15,933 individuals were arrested. In just the early months of 2026, 1,438 criminal cases were registered, resulting in 1,637 arrests and drugs worth Rs 940 crore being confiscated.

He characterized the current scenario as a “grave failure” of the state's Home Department, particularly highlighting that 17 police officials were dismissed for allegedly assisting drug traffickers. “When the police themselves collaborate with smugglers, incidents similar to the one at the NESCO Centre can occur anywhere,” he remarked.

Wadettiwar questioned the political protection offered to the drug trade, stating, “Simply arresting the offenders is inadequate. When will the political entities supporting these ‘Drug Mafias’ be exposed? We demand a drug-free Maharashtra, or our youth will face devastation.”

Previously, Harshwardhan Sapkal, the president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, expressed distress regarding the deaths of two MBA students who allegedly overdosed after attending the concert on April 11. He claimed that the illegal drug market is thriving with the alleged backing of the government, accusing the BJP–Mahayuti administration of leading Maharashtra's youth into the clutches of drugs.

“During the live concert at the NESCO complex in Goregaon, alcohol and drugs were openly consumed. The police and governmental bodies remained passive until two lives were lost due to drug use; now, only a superficial action is being taken. How could the police not detect a drug party with 4,000–5,000 attendees in one segment of Mumbai?” questioned Sapkal.

He further alleged that such drug and alcohol gatherings occur openly, right under the watch of the Mumbai Police and government agencies, which reveals a massive failure of the Home Department and the entire system. He attributed the reckless governance of the BJP–Mahayuti coalition to dragging Maharashtra's cultured youth into drug addiction.