Mumbai: In a major leadership shift, the Congress on Thursday appointed Harshwardhan Sapkal as the new Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, replacing Nana Patole. The move follows Patole’s resignation, taking moral responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the November 2024 Assembly elections.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved Sapkal’s appointment with immediate effect. Announcing the decision, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal stated, “Congress President has appointed Shri Harshwardhan Sapkal as the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect. The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing President, Shri Nana Patole.”
A former MLA from Buldhana (2014-2019), Sapkal is regarded as a close associate of Rahul Gandhi. His appointment signals a generational shift in the Maharashtra Congress leadership.
In another significant decision, Congress also appointed senior leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar as the Leader of the Congress Legislative Party in Maharashtra. The party statement confirmed, “Hon’ble Congress President has also approved the appointment of Shri Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar as the Leader of the Congress Legislative Party in Maharashtra with immediate effect.”
The leadership changes come as Congress looks to revamp its Maharashtra unit after a disappointing electoral outcome. With Sapkal at the helm, the party aims to strengthen its presence ahead of the upcoming political battles in the state.
