Maharashtra Congress chief criticises State government’s 100-day report card, points to internal rift in Mahayuti

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Friday (May 2, 2025) alleged that the State government’s recently released 100-day performance report has once again exposed the underlying tensions between the ruling Mahayuti alliance partners.

Mr. Sapkal claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis used the report card to highlight the superior performance of departments under his direct control, while downplaying the efforts of those managed by alliance partners, namely Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Mr. Fadnavis, who assumed office in December after the Mahayuti’s significant victory in the Assembly election, had introduced a 100-day target-driven plan for each department. On Thursday, he announced that 12 of the 48 departments had achieved 100% of their goals, while 18 others surpassed 80%.

Commenting on the report, Mr. Sapkal said the last 100 days were marked by a visible power struggle among the Mahayuti constituents, with frequent demands for resignations, including that of the CM. He pointed out that one minister had to step down and another faced conviction during this period.

He was referring to NCP’s Dhananjay Munde, who resigned after his aide was named an accused in the Beed sarpanch murder case, and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, who was convicted in a 1995 cheating and forgery case.

Mr. Sapkal also questioned the credibility of the performance assessment, especially the high rating given to the Women and Child Development department, which he said had failed to deliver on its promise to increase the Ladki Bahin scheme’s monthly support from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100. “This is ridiculous,” he remarked.

“The CM has spared no effort in showcasing the achievements of his departments while undermining those headed by his allies,” he said, citing the Urban Development department, led by Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, as an example of being deliberately rated low.

According to Mr. Sapkal, the report card not only highlights the internal friction between the ruling parties but also suggests that Fadnavis is asserting dominance within the alliance. “This government has damaged the democratic process in the State,” he said.

The Congress leader further accused the Mahayuti of electoral malpractice, questioning the unexplained surge of 75 lakh voters in Maharashtra post the Lok Sabha elections. “They are not even qualified to release a report card,” he said.

Mr. Sapkal also welcomed the Centre’s move to conduct a caste Census, calling it a triumph for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who had long advocated for it. However, he warned that the BJP must not turn it into an “election gimmick”.