Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Friday, 23 May issued a sharp warning that those involved in manipulating voter lists and 'murdering democracy' would face imprisonment in the days ahead. His remarks came at a state-level party meeting focused on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) across Maharashtra.

Key Allegations Against BJP

Sapkal alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Maharashtra by 'stealing votes' with the alleged complicity of the Election Commission. He further claimed that voter deletions in Bihar and West Bengal had similarly helped the BJP secure victories in those states. 'Attempts are now underway to influence the electoral process through voter list revision exercises,' he alleged.

Detailed discussions were held at the meeting on alleged irregularities in the voter list, vote theft, and the SIR process. Critics argue that such revision campaigns, if not monitored rigorously, can be weaponised to disenfranchise voters from specific communities.

Congress Prepares Booth-Level Defence

Sapkal said a special workshop for Booth Level Agents-1 under the SIR campaign had been conducted successfully, with booth-level planning completed across the state. A team of national-level experts and experienced state office-bearers trained party workers on electoral process protocols, voter list verification, and the filing of objections and corrections.

The MPCC has also decided to establish a dedicated committee for the SIR campaign. Legislative Council Congress group leader Satej alias Bunty Patil has been appointed as head of the committee, while Abhijit Sapkal will serve as coordinator. The committee will work in tandem with district and taluka-level party machinery across Maharashtra.

Fuel Shortage and 'Ghajini' Jibe at CM Fadnavis

Targeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over reported petrol and diesel shortages in the state, Sapkal said: 'The Chief Minister's statement on the petrol and diesel shortage once again proves that he has become ‘Ghajini’. The state government has absolutely no attention towards the serious problems faced by the people.'

The reference to the Bollywood film's amnesiac protagonist was a pointed dig at what the Congress characterises as the ruling dispensation's indifference to public hardship.

Reservation Row and Farmer Distress

On the reservation issue, Sapkal accused the BJP of engineering social divisions for electoral gain. 'The reservation issue should be resolved through a caste-based census. The BJP-led MahaYuti is deceiving the Maratha, OBC, Dhangar and all other communities. Attempts are being made to create conflict between several castes for political gain,' he said.

He also invoked promises reportedly made before the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, demanding that the state government account for what it has actually delivered on reservation.

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar added to the criticism, calling the MahaYuti administration 'completely anti-farmer.' He said: 'Farmers no longer have the financial strength required even to repay loans eligible for waiver. While the rural economy is collapsing, the state government is engaged only in making announcements.'

With assembly elections on the horizon and the SIR campaign intensifying, the Congress's aggressive posture signals it intends to make voter-roll integrity a central battleground in the months ahead.