Mumbai, Apr 15 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Wednesday accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of committing the sin of turning Maharashtra into a "sinking state", and said
people will not forgive it.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the Devendra Fadnavis-led government has completely failed in curbing the drug menace and maintaining law and order situation, and demanded a "full-time and capable" home minister for the state.
"Maharashtra has turned into a 'dubta' (sinking) state, and people will never forgive the government for that," he said.
Sapkal said the supply and use of drugs are not just limited to major cities like Mumbai and Pune only, but have now spread to smaller towns and talukas across the state.
"A drug corridor from the Kandla port in Gujarat to Maharashtra was fuelling the menace," he said, and claimed that political patronage was enabling the illegal trade.
He said the government was pushing Maharashtra towards a crisis and warned that the youth were being pushed towards addiction.
Sapkal also raised questions over alleged links between public representatives and drug-related activities, claiming such instances send a wrong message and weaken action against offenders. He further alleged interference by political leaders in protecting the accused in such cases.
Referring to the death of two MBA students due to suspected drug overdose after attending a concert in Goregaon area of Mumbai, he said such incidents occurring near a police station reflect the failure of the police and the home department.
Holding CM Fadnavis, who also heads the home department, responsible, the Congress alleged the law and order situation has deteriorated under his tenure.
He also slammed the government over 'godman' Ashok Kharat case and alleged incidents of sexual exploitation of women in Nashik and Amravati, seeking strict action in these episodes.
Sapkal called for making the FIR public in the Nashik case, where the issue of forced religious conversion is also being discussed.
There are allegations of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion by eight female employees at IT major Tata Consultancy Services' office in Nashik.
Alleging that the absence of a full-time home minister has worsened the law and order situation in the state, he said Fadnavis should appoint a full-time, capable home minister for the state. PTI MR NP
