Maharashtra Congress Demands Cancellation of Vadhavan Port Project
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal insists on halting the Vadhavan port project, citing threats to local livelihoods.
Harshwardhan Sapkal emphasizes the ongoing protests against the Vadhavan port.
The project is criticized for prioritizing industrial interests over local communities.
Congress rallies support for various public movements aligned against the project.
In a strong stance against the proposed Vadhavan port in Palghar district, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal declared on Friday that protests will persist until the project is abandoned. Speaking at an anti-Vadhavan port rally in Varor-Vadhavan, Sapkal highlighted the potential risks the project poses to the livelihoods of residents, farmers, and fishermen in the area.
Sapkal asserted that the Congress party fully backs the ongoing protests, urging the public not to succumb to governmental pressure. He criticized the project as one that primarily benefits industrialists rather than contributing to the development of Palghar, arguing that it contradicts the interests of the state of Maharashtra. He emphasized the need for unity among the protesters to effectively challenge the project.
During his address, Sapkal referenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's initiative to unify various public movements across India, claiming that 36,000 movements have registered under this initiative, with 3,500 based in Maharashtra. He noted that these movements address critical issues such as education, healthcare, land rights, and environmental concerns, and while their demands may vary, they share a common adversary. He stated, "If the fight against Vadhavan is won, it will be a victory for all these movements."
The rally saw participation from notable figures including Shiv Sena MLA Ambadas Danve, former MLAs Hitendra Thakur and Kapil Patil, and Congress district president Satyam Thakur, alongside thousands of supporters. Sapkal accused the ruling BJP government of attempting to fracture the unity of the protesters by employing a 'divide and rule' strategy reminiscent of colonial tactics.
Looking ahead, the Congress party plans to maintain pressure on the state government regarding the Vadhavan port project. The ongoing protests are expected to intensify, with further rallies and public meetings scheduled to mobilize community support against the project, reinforcing the party's commitment to safeguarding local interests.
