Rift in Maharashtra Congress Over Harshwardhan Sapkal’s Appointment as MPCC Chief

The appointment of Harshwardhan Sapkal, a relatively unknown figure in Maharashtra politics, as the new president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has sparked discontent within the party. This comes at a critical time when the Congress is grappling with the aftermath of a significant loss in the recent state Assembly elections.

Several senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Satej Patil, and Vishwajeet Kadam, are struggling to understand why the party leadership chose Sapkal, a figure who has not been particularly active in state politics. Party insiders noted their disappointment over the party’s inability to select a more aggressive leader capable of revitalizing the party and addressing its weakened position.

Sapkal, a former MLA from Buldhana between 2014 and 2019, has largely remained absent from the political spotlight. “In the past five years, no one heard from Sapkal. During the two and a half years of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Sapkal was nowhere to be found. When the BJP brought down the MVA, Sapkal didn’t step up to lift the party’s morale,” a Congress leader remarked.

Sapkal replaces Nana Patole, whose strained relations with allies like the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP had damaged the Congress’s image.

Prithviraj Chavan Expresses Surprise

Speaking about Sapkal’s appointment, Prithviraj Chavan expressed surprise, stating that he had not even heard Sapkal’s name in discussions for the role. “I thought Satej Patil from Kolhapur would lead the party, as we had suggested his name to the leadership. Perhaps Patil refused to take the role,” Chavan added.

Chavan also pointed out that Sapkal would face a tough challenge not only within the party but also with allies like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar in the MVA. “It will be interesting to see how Sapkal handles these leaders,” he said. However, Chavan acknowledged the party’s limited options, given the reluctance or defeat of established leaders. “The chapter is closed for us. We will see how Sapkal performs,” he concluded.

Satej Patil Defends Decision, Focuses on Party Revival

Despite some of his close associates mentioning that he was “upset” about not being appointed MPCC president, Satej Patil denied being unhappy with the choice. “The party has made the right decision. Sapkal is an organizational man. He has the skills to unify the party and maintain the network. The party is no longer cadre-based, and Sapkal can train and prepare cadres for future challenges,” Patil remarked.

Patil also noted that while he had received numerous calls from party workers across Maharashtra asking why he didn’t take the post, his preference for a shorter term as president prevented him from accepting. “If it were a two-year term, I would have considered it,” Patil said.

Patil emphasized the importance of reviving the party in Maharashtra, noting that if Sapkal focuses on building a strong cadre and resolving internal conflicts, it would greatly benefit the party’s future. He also praised Chandrakant Patil of the BJP for his dedication to party unity, pointing out that even leaders with a low profile can achieve great success. “We hope Sapkal will help turn around the fortunes of the party,” Patil added.

Other Leaders’ Reactions

Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam from Sangli stated that he was neither upset nor a contender for the MPCC chief position. When asked about the reasons for Sapkal’s appointment, Kadam suggested, “You should ask the party leadership.”

Sachin Sawant, another Congress leader, expressed confidence in Sapkal’s leadership. “Sapkal has been with the party for years and has held significant positions, including as NSUI president. The leadership must have carefully considered all factors before appointing him,” Sawant said, calling it a positive decision for a party worker to rise through the ranks.

Atul Londhe, a state Congress spokesperson, echoed similar sentiments, affirming that Sapkal’s organizational skills and loyalty to the party make him the right choice for the role.