Maharashtra Cong leaders internally support security bill, but party high command opposes it: Kadam

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam on Thursday alleged that leaders of opposition Congress internally support the special public security bill, but the party high command was against it.

He claimed that senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who hails from Vidarbha, also supports the bill due to the Naxal threat in the region.

The Minister of State for Home also accused the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) of trying to politicise the Marathi language issue with an eye on the upcoming civic elections in the state.

Last week, both houses of the state legislature passed the contentious Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of Left-wing extremist organisations with focus on 'urban Naxalism'.

The bill, which has stringent provisions, including hefty fines and jail term up to seven years for those found guilty, has sparked criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties, who view it as a tool to suppress dissent under the pretext of national security.

The Maharashtra Congress has sought an explanation from the party's legislative wing on the passage of the bill in the state assembly without any protest.

Party's state unit chief Harshwardhan Sapkal wrote a letter to Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday to explain how the bill was allowed to be passed without the Congress registering its opposition. Sapkal has sought an explanation on the directives of the party high command, sources said.

When asked about it, Minister Kadam told reporters on the Vidhan Bhavan premises here, "The state Congress leaders are internally in support of the bill. But it is the high command that does not want it."

"It was the UPA government that first introduced the Left Wing Extremism concept in 2006 and said urban Naxalism was spreading. Now, the Congress's present stand contradicts its earlier position," Kadam said, adding that Wadettiwar, who hails from Vidarbha, also supports the bill due to the Naxal threat in the region.

Wadettiwar represents the Brahmapuri assembly constituency in Chandrapur, which is one of the Naxal-hit districts in the state.

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government created the Left Wing Extremism Division on October 19, 2006 to effectively address the Left Wing Extremist insurgency in a holistic manner.

Kadam also said the MNS was trying to politicise the Marathi-Hindi language divide ahead of the upcoming civic body elections.

Responding to a question related to recent incidents of attacks on non-Marathi persons opposing to speak Marathi, the minister said, "The acts of manhandling are illegal and the state government will take strict action against those involved."

When asked whether the divide between Marathi and Hindi-speaking communities appeared to be part of a larger plan, Kadam said, "When only one political party - MNS - is taking up this issue, there is scope for such suspicion. I feel it is nothing but the politicisation of the issue ahead of civic body elections."

"It is being done to attract the Marathi voters and to project that they are fighting for the cause alone. It appears certain incidents are taking place with the intention of dividing people. Whatever illegal acts they have committed, they will face action," Kadam said.

"We will not tolerate any insult to the Marathi identity. Marathi remains our top priority. If people have grievances, they are free to lodge complaints. The state will take appropriate action," he said on When asked about the Enforcement Directorate's raids in Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai, Kadam clarified that the ED is a central agency and does not fall under the purview of the state government.

If the ED has taken action, it must be necessary. If funds are illegally parked anywhere, action is required, he said.

On Congress leader Nana Patole's demand for an investigation into the alleged honeytrap racket targeting state officials and some political leaders, Kadam said, "Media reports about the alleged honeytrap have not been confirmed. These are mere speculations. Before making such claims in the assembly, Patole should have provided evidence. It is not appropriate to malign the image of bureaucrats and, ultimately, the state government."