<p>Mumbai: Daring the BJP to appoint a Muslim as the Prime Minister or the party President, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said that the Congress has had 89 presidents representing all castes and religions—women, men, SCs, STs, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians.</p><p>“While undertaking development work, Congress has ensured that the benefits reach all communities. But now, the BJP is showing excessive concern for the Muslim community. They claim to have introduced the triple talaq law and the Waqf Board law in support of Muslim women and the poor Muslim population. In light of this concern the BJP should appoint a Muslim individual either as the Prime Minister or the national president of the BJP,” he said. </p>.Alliance woes? Not really, claim Maha Yuti leaders as Eknath Shinde meets Amit Shah again.<p>Speaking at a Congress workers’ gathering in Akola, Sapkal said that BJP president J P Nadda’s term has ended, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is nearing 75. </p><p>“Rather than waiting for the RSS to decide a successor, BJP should directly appoint a Muslim leader as PM or party president. He also suggested that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should step down and be replaced by someone from the tribal or Dalit communities,” he said. </p><p>Sapkal criticised the state government for not conducting local body elections, accusing them of withholding elections to retain control.</p><p>He alleged that the entire state is being run by just three people who have created a "system of exploitation". </p><p>He claimed the Modi government deliberately lowered the prices of tur (pigeon pea) before it reached the market and failed to offer fair rates, "breaking the backbone of farmers". </p><p>Compensation for damages caused by excessive rain and hailstorms hasn’t been disbursed; contractors and ST (State Transport) workers haven’t been paid either, he said. </p><p>Sapkal stated that if the “trio leading the state” (Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar) truly have any credibility, they should demand a special financial package from the Centre for Maharashtra, waive off farmer loans, and bring the state's economy back on track.</p><p>He also raised concerns about law and order, claiming that illegal businesses have peaked, with a booming black market in marijuana and narcotics. "Drugs are entering Maharashtra from Gujarat's Kandla port, but the police are not taking action. The absence of a full-time Home Minister has severely impacted law enforcement in the state."</p>
<p>Mumbai: Daring the BJP to appoint a Muslim as the Prime Minister or the party President, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said that the Congress has had 89 presidents representing all castes and religions—women, men, SCs, STs, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians.</p><p>“While undertaking development work, Congress has ensured that the benefits reach all communities. But now, the BJP is showing excessive concern for the Muslim community. They claim to have introduced the triple talaq law and the Waqf Board law in support of Muslim women and the poor Muslim population. In light of this concern the BJP should appoint a Muslim individual either as the Prime Minister or the national president of the BJP,” he said. </p>.Alliance woes? Not really, claim Maha Yuti leaders as Eknath Shinde meets Amit Shah again.<p>Speaking at a Congress workers’ gathering in Akola, Sapkal said that BJP president J P Nadda’s term has ended, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is nearing 75. </p><p>“Rather than waiting for the RSS to decide a successor, BJP should directly appoint a Muslim leader as PM or party president. He also suggested that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should step down and be replaced by someone from the tribal or Dalit communities,” he said. </p><p>Sapkal criticised the state government for not conducting local body elections, accusing them of withholding elections to retain control.</p><p>He alleged that the entire state is being run by just three people who have created a "system of exploitation". </p><p>He claimed the Modi government deliberately lowered the prices of tur (pigeon pea) before it reached the market and failed to offer fair rates, "breaking the backbone of farmers". </p><p>Compensation for damages caused by excessive rain and hailstorms hasn’t been disbursed; contractors and ST (State Transport) workers haven’t been paid either, he said. </p><p>Sapkal stated that if the “trio leading the state” (Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar) truly have any credibility, they should demand a special financial package from the Centre for Maharashtra, waive off farmer loans, and bring the state's economy back on track.</p><p>He also raised concerns about law and order, claiming that illegal businesses have peaked, with a booming black market in marijuana and narcotics. "Drugs are entering Maharashtra from Gujarat's Kandla port, but the police are not taking action. The absence of a full-time Home Minister has severely impacted law enforcement in the state."</p>