Rahul Gandhi takes stock of key political issues in Maharashtra, asks office bearers to stand by party ideology

This was Rahul Gandhi’s second visit to Maharashtra in a fortnight, following his ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ speech in Pune. Photo: Special arrangement

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) during a day-long visit to Nashik for the party’s ‘Sanghatan Srujan Abhiyan’ sought a detailed assessment of key political issues in Maharashtra, including deletion of names from electoral rolls, Maratha and OBC reservation issues and tribal protests.

This was his second visit to the state in a fortnight, following his ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ speech in Pune. Mr. Gandhi spent the day in Nashik for the final session of a 10-day residential training camp for newly appointed Congress district presidents.

“He came in the morning and first held a closed-door meeting with top state leaders. There were about 20 of us. He asked us about key issues in the state, including the deletion of names in the Special Intensive Review (SIR), the ongoing Maratha agitation, the OBC reservation issue, tribal protests, opposition to the multi-crore Shaktipeth allegedly held in the Kumbéth superway, and alleged corruption in the Kumbh superway. Nashik,” a senior leader told The Hindu after the meeting.

Later, Mr. Gandhi met the families of district Congress committee presidents before addressing the final session of the training camp. He urged the district presidents to expand the organization and take the Congress ideology to the people across the state.

Jiu-jitsu lessons

He also gave a demonstration and introduction to the martial art of jiu-jitsu to the district presidents. He then interacted with protesting tribal students from Nashik, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur. “He listened to their concerns and assured them that the Congress party would stand with them in their struggle,” a party leader said.

When asked about the highlights of the visit, Congress leader Naseem Khan said that Mr. Gandhi urged the district presidents to vigorously fight for the ideals of the party and fight for justice and fairness for the people.

Another leader said the visit marked Gandhi’s growing focus on Maharashtra. “Within a few days of visiting Pune, he came here. He not only came here but spent the whole day. He is also likely to visit Vidarbha soon,” the leader said.

State leaders present at the meeting with Mr. Gandhi on Wednesday morning included State Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal, Congress Legislature Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of the Congress Group in the Legislative Council Satej alias Bunty Patil, Congress Working Committee Member Balasaheb Thorat, Naseem Khan, MP Chandrakant Handore, Congress President Thakare Raji, Manikra, President Thadrakant Mukare Raji Varikra Manikra Gaikwad, MP Praniti Shinde, MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Senior Vice President Mohan Joshi, All India Congress Committee Secretaries BM Sandeep, Rehana Chishti and Vamshi Reddy.

Published – 02 Sep 2026 20:06 IST