Maharashtra Congress President Harshavarshan Sapkal on Monday accused the BJP of becoming “Congress-filled” in its attempt to create a Congress-free India, alleging that the party is increasingly dependent on leaders who originally belonged to Congress.
Speaking at a two-day workshop organised by the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) in Khadakwasla, Pune district, Sapkal said, “Congress is the oldest and most experienced party in the country, with capable leadership and dedicated workers. BJP, however, is like a witch who consumes workers from other parties. If you look around the Chief Minister and his cabinet, you’ll see people from Congress. Despite claiming to have one crore members and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their leader, their leadership is hollow and weak. That’s why they are forced to induct Congress workers — a tragedy in itself.”
Sapkal said the workshop aimed to train newly appointed office bearers through a three-point approach — orientation, introduction, and interaction — with guidance from senior leaders and subject experts. He stressed that Congress works continuously, not just during elections.
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticised the BJP-led state government, alleging it was run for the benefit of “two industrialists” and functioned as a “looter government” using power, the ED, and the CBI to its advantage. He urged Congress workers to connect directly with people, understand their problems, and work with the vision of leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Former minister and senior leader Balasaheb Thorat reminded members of Congress’s history of sacrifice and resilience, saying the party had overcome defeats in the past to return to victory. He condemned the current state government’s functioning, citing incidents of violence inside the Assembly, corruption, and issues affecting farmers and banking. Thorat said Congress must take up public concerns such as large-scale corruption in NAFED to regain people’s trust and form governments that uphold the Constitution.
The workshop was attended by senior leaders including Satej alias Bunty Patil, Dr. Vishwajeet Kadam, AICC secretaries BM Sandeep, Kunal Choudhary, UB Venkatesh, Vice President (Organisation & Administration) Ganesh Patil, and senior spokesperson Atul Londhe.
