Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Congress Demands Resignations of Election, Public Service Chiefs
Maharashtra Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal criticized the Union government and several institutions.
He said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should resign.
He also demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
Sapkal supported students protesting against the MPSC.
He questioned why changes to an election form were made and later withdrawn.
He said the Election Commission should explain who approved private involvement in election decisions.
Sapkal also criticized the government over rising prices.
Government responses to these accusations were not reported in the article.
MPCC President Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s immediate resignation.
Sapkal accused the Union government of undermining electoral institutions and democracy.
Congress questioned the Election Commission’s withdrawn changes to Form 6 and private involvement.
Sapkal backed student protests and sought MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar’s resignation.
He criticized inflation under the Modi government while praising former UPA-era price controls.
- Who
- Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal, accompanied by State Congress In-charge Sirivella Prasad, made the demands; he addressed the Election Commission, the MPSC and the Union government.
- What
- Sapkal demanded resignations from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, while criticizing electoral administration, institutional governance and inflation.
- When
- On Friday, during an event described as taking place on Gandhi Jayanti.
- Where
- At Mani Bhavan in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Sapkal cited alleged institutional corruption, concerns about Election Commission changes to Form 6, poor MPSC operations and rising inflation.
Congress Position
Government and Institutional Position
Election Commission independence
Congress Position
Sapkal accused the Union government of capturing electoral machinery and called Gyanesh Kumar an agent of the BJP; he demanded transparency over Form 6 changes and private involvement.
Government and Institutional Position
The article does not report a response from Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission or the Union government to these accusations.
MPSC performance
Congress Position
Sapkal described MPSC operational standards as extremely poor, demanded Vivek Bhimanwar’s resignation and supported protesting students.
Government and Institutional Position
The article does not provide a response from the MPSC or its chairman.
Inflation and economic management
Congress Position
Sapkal said the former UPA government better protected citizens from fuel costs and accused the Modi government of benefiting a small group of industrialists.
Government and Institutional Position
The article does not include a response from the Modi government or provide its explanation of current prices.
- Congress leader
- Harshwardhan Sapkal, President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee
- Election demand
- Immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- MPSC demand
- Immediate resignation of Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar
- Election issue
- The Election Commission withdrew changes to Form 6 after questions raised by Rahul Gandhi, according to Sapkal
- Student protests
- Sapkal expressed full support for ongoing protests by students targeting the Maharashtra Public Service Commission
- Location
- Mani Bhavan, Mumbai
- Economic comparison
- Sapkal said the former UPA government maintained petrol at Rs 70 per litre and LPG cylinders at Rs 450, while criticizing current inflation