Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Monday, 2 November launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of rank hypocrisy for organising 'Save Democracy, Save the Constitution' rallies across the country even as the opposition's own 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' mega rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi had, in his words, 'dealt a major blow to the Modi government.'

Sapkal's Core Charge

Sapkal alleged that the BJP's sudden emphasis on democracy and the Constitution is a reactive move, prompted by the success of the INDIA alliance rally at Ramlila Maidan. 'Rattled by the rally, the BJP is now organising 'Save Democracy, Save the Constitution' rallies across the country,' he said, framing the BJP's campaign as a deflection rather than a genuine constitutional commitment.

He went further, arguing that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — the BJP's ideological parent — 'does not accept the Constitution drafted under the leadership of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, while BJP leaders have openly spoken about changing it.' He added: 'The BJP has the Constitution on its lips but the Manusmriti in its heart.'

Attack on CM Fadnavis

Taking direct aim at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Sapkal said it was 'laughable' for him to accuse the Congress of undermining democracy. He pointed out that despite holding power for 13 years, the BJP continues to target Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi rather than showcasing its own governance record — a line of criticism the Congress has consistently deployed ahead of electoral cycles.

Sapkal alleged that both the Narendra Modi-led central government and the Fadnavis-led state government came to power through what he termed 'vote theft' in the 2024 elections. 'Their alleged electoral malpractice has been exposed, and not only will they lose power, but the prospect of facing action after being voted out has also cost them their sleep,' he claimed.

Voting Rights and Infiltrators Row

Sapkal also escalated the debate over electoral rolls, alleging that the 'Modi-Shah government, with the help of Gyanesh Kumar, is depriving 13 crore citizens of their right to vote.' He characterised this as the ruling dispensation 'taking away a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.'

On the BJP's recurring campaign plank of infiltrators, Sapkal issued a pointed challenge to Chief Minister Fadnavis: 'If Fadnavis has the courage, he should release the figures of infiltrators instead of using the issue as a pretext to deprive citizens of their voting rights.' He questioned why the ruling party raises the infiltrator narrative without disclosing how many have actually been apprehended.

Broader Accusation on Constitutional Institutions

Sapkal extended his critique beyond electoral issues, alleging that under Prime Minister Modi's tenure there has been a systematic effort 'to take control of all constitutional institutions and hijack democracy.' He charged that individuals affiliated with the RSS and BJP have been placed in constitutional bodies and universities, effectively subordinating these institutions to the ruling establishment.

This comes amid a broader national debate on institutional autonomy, with opposition parties consistently raising concerns about appointments to regulatory and constitutional bodies. As Maharashtra heads into a politically charged period, the Congress-BJP war of words over constitutional values is expected to intensify ahead of upcoming electoral contests.