Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal on Friday launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, alleging that his remarks against a book publisher reflected a “criminal mindset” and questioning the state government’s failure to act against him.

Row erupts over threats to publisher

The controversy surfaced after an audio clip went viral, in which Gaikwad was allegedly heard using abusive language and issuing threats to Kolhapur-based publisher Prashant Ambi. The dispute revolves around a book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj titled Shivaji Kon Hota, written by Govind Pansare and first published in 1988.