A massive political storm erupted in Maharashtra on Monday after state Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal compared Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The controversial remark triggered outrage in both Houses of the state legislature, with leaders from the ruling Mahayuti coalition demanding strict action.
The uproar intensified during the ongoing Budget session, as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (NCP) and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule (BJP) assured lawmakers that legal action against Sapkal would be considered. Pawar criticized the statement, suggesting that some politicians make controversial remarks to impress party leaders but ultimately expose their true colors.
Sapkal, in his Sunday statement, had called Aurangzeb a “cruel ruler” and likened Fadnavis to him, accusing the chief minister of supporting religious issues while neglecting critical cases like the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. His remarks infuriated the BJP, with party leaders calling it an insult to Maharashtra.
As the Assembly Speaker struggled to maintain order, the House had to be adjourned for ten minutes amid relentless disruptions. The controversy also spilled over to the Legislative Council, where BJP group leader Pravin Darekar slammed Sapkal, demanding immediate legal action to set an example.
NCP (SP) legislator Shashikant Shinde and opposition leader Ambadas Danve also weighed in, with Danve arguing that the government itself had an “Aurangzeb-like mentality.” Meanwhile, Congress leader Bhai Jagtap denied that Sapkal had made such a statement, attempting to diffuse tensions.
Despite opposition voices, Bawankule assured the Council that the government was considering strict action against Sapkal for his “objectionable” remarks. As the political firestorm rages on, the controversy has further deepened the divide between Maharashtra’s ruling coalition and the opposition.
