On Wednesday, Maharashtra Congress state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal and senior party leader Vijay Wadettiwar greeted Rahul Gandhi in Nashik. This visit marks a significant moment for the Congress party as it continues to strengthen its presence in the region ahead of upcoming political challenges.
Discussions covered several key issues, including the ongoing SIR exercise, farmer suicides, preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela and the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway project, according to Chavan.
Speaking to the reporters, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said that Gandhi interacted with the leaders and office-bearers to understand the political, social and organisational situation in Maharashtra.
He also asked party workers to pay special attention to the SIR exercise and ensure that eligible voters are not left out of electoral rolls due to technical or procedural reasons.
Leaders, who attended the closed-door session, said Gandhi urged district chiefs to remain committed to the Congress ideology and strengthen their connect with common people by understanding their concerns. Rejecting speculation over Gandhi’s visit having any hidden political motive, former state Congress president Thakre said the Nashik tour was aimed purely at strengthening the party organisation and facilitating dialogue with party workers. Discussions were also held on the process of selecting district presidents, training party workers and improving organisational functioning, according to Thakre. “Emphasis was laid on Congress culture, the party’s ideological framework and strengthening bonds among workers,” he said. Senior party leaders said the exercise was intended to acknowledge the contribution of families who support office-bearers engaged in organisational work that often keeps them away from home for extended periods. It is a family and a home of ideas,” Thakre said while explaining the rationale behind the interaction. “Congress is the pioneer of women reservation and supported the Constitutional amendment on women’s reservation passed in 2023,” Chavan said.
State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, senior leaders Vijay Wadettiwar, Balasaheb Thorat and Manikrao Thakre were among those present during the concluding session. In a symbolic gesture, Gandhi also interacted with family members of district Congress presidents. “Congress is not merely an organisation of office-bearers and workers.