Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 12: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as Home Minister, alleging that the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated.

Sapkal's demand came after an assault on the brother and nephew of Maharashtra Minister Atul Save in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Reports said the two were allegedly attacked amid a dispute over road and land issues, with the minister's nephew suffering serious injuries.

Questioning the state government's handling of law and order, Sapkal said, "If even the families of Ministers are not safe in the State, what about ordinary citizens?" He accused Fadnavis of failing in his responsibilities as Home Minister and called for his resignation.

Sapkal also referred to another recent incident in Ahilyanagar involving two men who allegedly faced assault by self-styled cow protectors. The victims have alleged that they were stripped, beaten and forced to drink urine.

The Congress leader cited these incidents to attack the state government's handling of law and order and argued that the safety of ordinary citizens was under serious question.

The demand comes amid heightened political exchanges in Maharashtra over incidents of violence and allegations of police and administrative failure. A separate recent case in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar also saw a police sub-inspector suspended after being named as an accused in a rioting and assault case linked to a clash over alleged illegal cow transportation.