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After High Command whip: Congress MLAs told to be at forefront of every protest against govt, irrespective of strength

The legislators were told that they needed to be visible in opposing government policies that are deemed detrimental to the state.

The Congress party had come under criticism after it neither protested nor submitted a dissent note in the legislative assembly against the bill, despite its leadership voicing opposition to it.

Maharashtra Congress MLAs were called for an urgent meeting on Thursday, a day after the Congress central leadership sought a reply from the state legislative party on how it allowed the passing of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill without opposition. The legislators were told that they needed to be visible in opposing government policies that are deemed detrimental to the state.

“The legislators were told in clear words that they cannot sit silent and accept the government’s proposals citing fewer MLAs. The legislators were asked to launch an offensive irrespective of the numbers,” said an MLA who attended the meeting.

State Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal read out the message from the Congress high command to the legislators. “The high command wants the party to be seen at the forefront of every agitation against the government. They cannot be silent,” another MLA said. The party will burn copies of the bill in every district to mark its protest.

According to Sapkal, it was a routine meeting with the MLAs and MLCs, as happens in every session of the legislature. “The meeting was to plan the strategy of the party for upcoming protests. It was held in a cordial environment. Every legislator is extremely serious and committed to their respective duties. I am sure that we will emerge as a strong opposition force in the state,” he said.

The Congress had come under criticism after it neither protested nor submitted a dissent note in the legislative assembly against the bill, despite its leadership voicing opposition to it.

“The All India Congress Committee had time and again discussed the need to oppose (the bill), and the issue was discussed at the highest level. A clear message was conveyed in this regard to the Maharashtra Pradesh Committee,” said a letter sent by Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal, The Indian Express reported Wednesday.

Two days ago, Sapkal, on the instructions of Maharashtra Congress incharge Ramesh Chennithala, wrote to Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, group leader in the Legislative Council Satej Patil, and party chief whip Amin Patel.

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Wadettiwar said he was not present in the House. “This government is trying to suppress dissent. The bill has received over 12,000 objections. I will submit the report to our party’s state unit president about what happened in the assembly,” he said.

Alok Deshpande

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More

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