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Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray’s resolve to contest at least 225 of the 288 Maharashtra assembly seats has generated suspense as he only recently had wholeheartedly stood by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha election. Just back from a US-Europe tour, Raj made this announcement to plunge full-fledged in the assembly election at a party meet. His detractors immediately seized upon Raj’s changing stance and different interpretations began surfacing about his exact plan. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says that Raj’s policy is ever changing but always harming the interests of Maharashtra. On the other hand, the Sena (Shinde) has taken a cautious line. Senior minister Deepak Kesarkar has expressed confidence that Raj could alter his stand after the matter is discussed with him by Mahayuti leaders. Meanwhile, Raj’s announcement is seen to have two angles. Firstly, he will field around 225 candidates and decide his strategy according to the election verdict. Secondly, his announcement will be used as a bargain counter while discussing seat sharing with the Mahayuti. Though the picture is still hazy, social media posts have started appearing, listing the names of probable candidates and their constituencies. The suspense is heightened since the BJP, the Sena (Shinde) and the NCP(Ajit) have given enough indications that they will not sacrifice much in terms of the seats to be contested by the respective partners.
Notwithstanding her two successive defeats in general elections and her backdoor entry into the state legislative council, BJP leader Pankaja Munde’s supporters have once again started propagating her name as a future CM of Maharashtra. Pankaja’s birthday falls on July 26 but she has decided not to celebrate it this year since three of her supporters reportedly committed suicide owing to her defeat in the recent Lok Sabha election. As MLC, she will visit her home district, Beed in Marathwada on July 29. Her supporters have started preparations to welcome her. As part of this euphoria, banners to laud her have come up in certain parts. Those in Buldana have become talk of the town since her image is shown, along with the headline: Future CM. Pankaja had lost the 2019 assembly election against her cousin Dhananjay Munde though she was a sitting minister. Now that both are on the same side of the ruling alliance, he had worked for Pankaja’s victory in the Lok Sabha election but she could not win. Following this defeat, pressure began mounting on the three-party Mahayuti government to ‘accommodate’ her. Accordingly, she was fielded by the BJP for the council election. Due to the assured quota of votes from the lower house, she is now a MLC. But the claims that she is a mass leader by her supporters have astounded even people sympathetic to her since she is the daughter of legendary Gopinath Munde.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has given a clarion call to the BJP rank and file. “Do not wait for a directive, jump into the ring,” he told a BJP conclave held in Pune to strategize for the upcoming assembly election in the state. Always lauded for his measured words and restraint, Fadnavis has surprised even his disciple by ordering the party organisation to become aggressive. Repeatedly castigating the so-called ‘Fake Narrative’ used by the opposition to spread disinformation about the BJP for the parliamentary election, Fadnavis lamented the fact that even the BJP’s elected representatives were reticent on this count. “Our workers await directives. I now ask you to start batting in full swing,” he said amidst great cheers. Pune is the BJP stronghold as well as that of NCP leader Sharad Pawar. In this connection, he rationalised the alliance with rival NCP’s Ajit Pawar. Following the BJP’s poor show in the election, many party functionaries and even RSS mouthpieces have started questioning the justification for taking Ajit along. Fadnavis said on some occasions, it becomes necessary to retreat a couple of paces to attain the objective. The saffron party is known to operate according to the directives (Aadesh) received from the top. The fiat issued by Fadnavis is seen as a signal to the BJP workers to show initiative at local levels and deal accordingly with the opposition.
A verbal war has triggered between two Sena camps, both followers of Balasaheb Thackeray, over a movie sequel based on the life of fierce Shiv Sainik late Anand Dighe of Thane. The fuse for the skirmish was the show of the trailer held on the eve of Guru Purnima. Chief minister Eknath Shinde feels proud to call himself Dighe’s soldier. The first flick on Dighe was called Dharmveer. It had provided indication about two and a half years ago that Shinde was extremely unhappy in the then unified Sena. Soon thereafter, he walked out of the party along with over 40 of his followers to form the present Mahayuti government. Ever since, Shinde is the principal target of the Sena (UBT). Shinde’s close confidant and Thane’s MP Naresh Mhaske has lashed out at rival Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut, who immediately raised doubts about the veracity of some portions of the sequel, named Dharmveer-2. Mhaske alleged that ‘Matoshri’ never liked Dighe’s popularity and in fact Uddhav had pressurised to cancel a condolence meet at Thane after Dighe’s demise. The trailer show was attended by deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis along with several BJP leaders. The Sena (UBT) is livid because of the Dighe movies. To sharpen the attack, Shinde’s followers have started saying that a third instalment, too, is being considered. The sequel will be screened for the public from August 9.
If you meet Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar next time and find him wearing a pink jacket, don’t be surprised. The NCP leader has started donning pink following the advice of his strategist Naresh Arora, of DesigneBoxed Creatives. After suffering grievously in the Lok Sabha election, Ajit changed his campaign advisor and roped in Arora. Soon afterwards, he held a meeting of his followers and made it clear that those wishing to switch over to uncle Sharad Pawar were welcome to leave. Now he has decided to rebuild his party from the grassroots level. Significantly, he made this declaration in Baramati, stronghold of the Pawar clan because there are consistent media reports that many of his followers are on the verge of rejoining Sharad Pawar, a few did. One aspect of the overall invigorating preparation is to build his own image. Accordingly, besides displaying pink, Ajit has also started displaying the NCP badge on his chest. Henceforth, pink will be seen conspicuously in NCP(Ajit) functions, it seems. However, the party flag and election symbol will remain unchanged, it has been made clear. Ajit has started touring the state. While propagating the Mahayuti agenda, he will assess the mood of the NCP rank and file in view of thorny saffron criticism that the BJP was hit hard in Maharashtra in the LS polls on account of its handshake with Ajit. His planning will be based on the feedback.
The huge success scored in the Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh has boosted the Samajwadi Party’s confidence so much that its leader Akhilesh Yadav has activated plans to storm Maharashtra as well. The arrival of over two dozen SP MPs in Mumbai over the weekend and their felicitation planned by state SP chief Abu Azmi, MLA, indicate Yadav’s resolve to demand a substantial number of seats for the coming assembly election in Maharashtra. Yadav was in Mumbai last week to attend the Ambani wedding. He interacted with various Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders and his own party workers to assess the situation in Maharashtra. In the first phase of his plan, the SP MPs will mobilise the large north Indian population in the state to create a vote bank. Thus, the MVA will henceforth be a four-party combine, consisting the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress, the NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the SP. It will take on the four-party alliance consisting the BJP, the Sena (Shinde), the NCP(Ajit) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by Raj Thackeray. Once upon a time, the SP in the state had several prominent leaders in its fold. However, except for Azmi, most of them parted ways with it. Now, in the changed circumstance, new entrants are eager to join it and play a meaningful role in Maharashtra polity.
Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) leader Jayant Patil’s humiliating defeat in the Maharashtra legislative council election, a couple of days ago, has been celebrated by his arch rival, Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLA Mahendra Dalvi in a novel manner. Dalvi and some of his followers literally smeared themselves with mud by flinging headlong in rainwater poodles in Alibaug, the Raigad district headquarters and the generational stronghold of Patil family. Dalvi then uploaded video clips of this mud bath, dedicating the rout of Patil to CM Eknath Shinde. The MLA had declared his resolve to take such a bath publicly a few days prior to the election. The outcome of the election has shocked the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), whose support Patil was banking upon. The Patil family has been dominating the politics in Raigad district for decades with allegations that the use of money and muscle by Jayant Patil has made it possible. A smart political operative, Patil had been managing to get into the council since 2002 from the assembly constituency despite having not more than two or three PWP MLAs at any given time. Patil lost because the Shiv Sena (Uddhav) fielded high profile Milind Narvekar, who garnered the required votes which Patil was hoping to obtain. Patil’s setback despite the blessings of veteran Sharad Pawar has gladdened his traditional rivals in the district, led by NCP (Ajit) heavyweight Sunil Tatkare. Once the main opposition party in the state, the PWP thus has faded out of the legislature.
The blame game has started in Maharashtra, with all three partners of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the dock for the defeat of a candidate supported by them in the MLC election. The MLC election held on July 12 has triggered a fierce political furore since NCP leader Sharad Pawar’s blessed candidate Jayant Patil of the Peasants and Workers Party lost. He was promised the requisite support of the excess MVA votes. However, Uddhav’s decision to field his confidant Milind Narvekar vitiated the arithmetic. Had he not added the second Sena candidate, all the 11 seats would have been declared unopposed. But Uddhav’s decision proved costly for Jayant Patil. He himself has expressed chagrin since he was assured excess votes of the MVA. Former MLC Kapil Patil, too, has held Uddhav responsible for Jayant Patil’s defeat. Kapil, a former journalist, has reminded Uddhav how he ditched Kapil’s organisation at the eleventh hour in the council election from the Teachers’ constituency. Kapil has also held Uddhav responsible for the defeat of former MP Raju Shetti. On the other hand, newly elected BJP MLC Sadabhau Khot has blamed Pawar for the beating suffered by Jayant Patil. “Pawar has stabbed Patil in the back,” Khot said. As the election was from the legislative assembly constituency, the cross voting, as hinted by shortpost.in, has occurred just like it had happened two years ago. Both times, most such voting has happened from the Congress quota. Interestingly, its possibility was forewarned this time but the Congress brass failed to prevent it. The shocking outcome will definitely impact planning for the coming assembly election by all the parties.
Controversial IAS probationer Pooja Khedkar’s mother, too, is now caught up in the scandalous disclosures even as details about her father Dilip are being dug up. Pooja has been transferred to Washim from Pune after her many alleged misdeeds to get into the IAS became viral. Even as the barrage of sensational revelations continues, one of her mother Manorama’s astounding videos is in circulation now. In it, Manorama is seen with a revolver and in a verbal fight with some people, said to be farmers of Dhavali village near Pune. The Khedkar family is stated to have purchased several acres of agricultural land in the village and the villagers own adjacent parcels of land. Even as the veracity of the clip is being tested, the Khedkar residence in Baner, a Pune suburb, was found locked and deserted. Similarly, the much-talked about Audi car was also missing from the house. This was the car Pooja had been using by installing a red beacon atop, against regulations. To top it all, it has transpired that Pooja had called up Panvel DCP Vivek Pansare, a few days ago, asking him to release a suspect who was in police custody under his jurisdiction. Pansare did not pay heed to the request but recalled it after reading about Pooja’s acts of omission and commission. He has filed a report to the authorities to put on record the incident. Since the PMO has appointed a one-man-committee to investigate how Pooja could get into the IAS, it is expected that some top officials of the UPSC also will face the music. Meanwhile, the Khedkar family’s antecedents are being unearthed.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has appointed political campaign specialist Naresh Arora to plan the strategy of his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for the state assembly election, due later this year. The drubbing in the Lok Sabha election suffered by his party has forced Ajit to reorient his plans and strategy. As part of this, Arora has been drafted. He has an impressive list of some successful political campaigns. Arora’s induction and a 90-day plan suggested by him are the subject of curiosity now. In a significant step, Ajit and his close confidants, Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, visited the famous Siddhivinayak temple in central Mumbai along with several NCP legislators. The darshan visit has taken place on the eve of the election for 11 seats of the state legislative council. It will be a tough test for Ajit as well as Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray as cross voting will determine the outcome. Uddhav’s right hand Milind Narvekar’s entry into the ring has heightened suspense since he has been liaising with MLAs belonging to all parties to ensure a favourable result for him. As a precaution, Ajit has decided to lodge his party MLAs in a five-star hotel and the Congress party, too, has decided to adopt the same precaution to prevent any poaching of the votes. The election on 12 July will impact the scenario for the impending assembly polls.
The upcoming wedding of Anant Mukesh Ambani with Radhika Merchant has started making waves by assuming a political hue. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Mumbai on 13 July to attend, among other engagements, the grand bash, top international figures in business, industry, finance and entertainment have begun arriving. The ceremony will be spread over three days from Friday, 12 July in Mumbai. Traffic restrictions are to be implemented in view of the VVIP movement. Politically, the first to attract the media attention is Tejas, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray’s son. He is seen dancing along with many Bollywood celebrities to the tune of “Yeh Ladki Hai Allah” in one of the events. Expectedly, Tejas has invited barbs from the political opponents of his father and elder brother Aaditya. Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Sheetal Mhatre has ridiculed him by remarking that “while father is Natsamrat (great actor), son is Nrutyasamrat (great dancer).” Mumbai BJP Ashish Shelar has lampooned the Thackeray scion by reminding him that Tejas has never danced at a Marathi celebration. Similar sharp derision is replete on social media. The point being made is that Uddhav and his followers publicly criticise the Ambani’s and their Gujarat link but surreptitiously keep close to them. Uddhav and wife Rashmi earlier had attended the ‘Mehndi’ function of Anant and Radhika. So far, there is no response from anyone concerned.
The election for 11 seats of the Maharashtra legislative council will be a gamechanger since there are 12 candidates in the fray. In other words, there will be cross voting unless one of the candidates retires, though the possibility of this happening is remote. According to the present house statistics, the BJP being the largest party in the lower house will have no problem in getting its five candidates elected in the election to be held on July 12. Similarly, the NCP led by Ajit Pawar and the Shiv Sena under chief minister Eknath Shinde have fielded two candidates each. The vote quota for the winner being 23, both these factions will need to organise a little support from smaller parties and unattached independents. The real test will be faced by the Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray, who has fielded his close confidant Milind Narvekar in a surprise move. Given Narvekar’s excellent equation with all prominent leaders in Maharashtra, his win is considered certain. Sharad Pawar’s NCP has decided to support Peasants and Workers Party leader Jayant Patil while the Congress has decided to contest for just one seat. Thackeray was jolted two years ago when nine of his supporters had voted for his opposition candidates. Thus, cross voting will be inevitable, whatever the result. Political management skills of the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition-led Maha Vikas Aghadi will be tested once again soon.
Pressure is mounting against deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar within the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra in view of the ensuing assembly election in the state. Ajit, too, is bracing to face the onslaught as he has been repeatedly proclaiming his allegiance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP has made it clear it will fight the assembly election together with Ajit. But, ever since the Lok Sabha election results are out, the disappointing performance by the NCP(A) and the heavy price paid by the BJP in several constituencies owing to its decision to take Ajit on board are the twin topics of discussion in political circles. Open opposition to continuance of the NCP(A) in the Mahayuti is being expressed by local leaders of the BJP. CM Eknath Shinde’s certain supporters, too, feel that taking along him will be burdensome for the Mahayuti. The latest flashpoint was Ajit’s decision to invite former minister Nawab Malik at his residence for a party meeting. The BJP is vehemently opposed to Malik’s association as he was detained by the ED in some sensitive matter. Another major factor is Ajit’s reported demand for 85 seats in the 288-member house. Expectedly, the BJP and Shinde’s Sena will vie to become the first and second largest partners in the saffron alliance. According to this arithmetic, the NCP(A) will have to satisfy itself by accepting the third place. Ajit will have to play his cards by keeping this likelihood in sight.
Maharashtra legislative council’s leader of the opposition (LoP) Ambadas Danve’s five-day suspension from the house is unprecedented in the state’s history. The fact that Danve used swear words denigrating womanhood while challenging a BJP member on the floor of the house has proved more shocking. Realising the gravity of his offence, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has apologised, though conditionally. Danve was engaged in a verbal battle with BJP’s Prasad Lad when the reprehensible language was used by him. When a resolution to suspend Danve for five days came up, the opposition demanded discussion on the motion. However, quoting precedents, deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe declined it. Uddhav later regretted the utterances of his party leader. However, Danve was unrepentant. He used threatening language against Lad once more. Moreover, he said that the BJP had no right to teach him democratic norms as it had suspended 150 members from the Lok Sabha. The conflict began when Lad made some statement pointing a finger at Danve, who vehemently objected and at one point was seen advancing menacingly towards Lad. The swear words used during this exchange stunned both sides of the house. The unsavoury incident is bound to impact electioneering for the assembly as the level to which elected representatives can stoop will create an impression among the rank and file about to take any liberties they wish.
The election to 11 legislative council seats in Maharashtra later this month will be fraught with suspense with the entry of Uddhav Thackeray’s Man Friday Milind Narvekar as a candidate. Known to be close to every influential leader in the state, despite party affiliations, Narvekar has always remained in the news for a variety of reasons. Uddhav’s decision to field him has added to the electoral thrill as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has the adequate number to bag two seats, while Milind will have to toil to win the third seat, in case the election does not happen unopposed. According to the current party strength in the legislative assembly, a winner will have to garner 23 votes. Given the statistics, the ruling Mahayuti can win nine seats and the MVA two. However, as Milind has entered the fray, the possibility of cross voting is appearing distinct since voting for the election is through a secret ballot. Previously, large scale cross voting has taken place in Maharashtra. Since the splits in the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress party (NCP) are not too distant in the past, the recurrence of changing loyalties can hit either side. Knowing this, back office efforts to make the election unopposed are underway. Narvekar has started calling on his buddies, who were earlier with his party but have parted ways recently to make it happen.
Maharashtra’s three-party alliance government’s last budget has instigated a war of attrition. As anticipated, the budget has showered a bevy of announcements with an intent to please as many sections of society as possible in view of the coming assembly election. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, after presenting the budget, expressed confidence that it will dispense justice to all. Similarly, opposition leaders including Uddhav Thackeray have attacked the budget, saying that it lacks imagination and initiative to develop the state. The state is under a debt burden of over Rs 7 lakh crore though its ratio with vis a vis state GDP is within norms. The proposed measures in this budget are bound to add to the indebtedness as over Rs 50,000 crore will have to be shelled out during the year towards the interest payment. At the top of Pawar’s basket is the “CM’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme (My Dear Sister Scheme)” under which all women between 21 and 60 years of age will receive Rs 1500 every month. It is a replica of a similar scheme under implementation in Madhya Pradesh. Farmers, too, are wooed by promising them to write off all their dues towards the power consumption for their agricultural pumps. Girls desirous of taking professional courses and falling in specified economic categories will not have to pay any tuition or examination fees. Pawar, while presenting the interim budget for 2024-25, has promised three cooking gas cylinders free of charge to eligible families annually. The resultant additional burden is being calculated by the opposition to sharpen its attack during the current session.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra is finding itself in a similar situation, faced by the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Both sides are engaged in concealing the fissures within. Leaders from both camps keep claiming that several MLAs from the opposite side are on their way to their fold. The simmering unrest came to the fore when Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut set off a fierce debate in the MVA by obliquely suggesting that Uddhav Thackeray should be the CM face of the Aghadi for the coming assembly election. State Congress president Nana Patole has discounted the demand by merely remarking that his party has decided not to comment on any of Raut’s statements. Incidentally, the Congress has won the largest number of LS seats in the state. Jayant Patil, leader of the third partner, the NCP (Sharad Pawar), says that the priority for now is to concentrate on winning the election unitedly. Conversely, the Mahayuti is in the same boat. Though ruling, its three partners are not on the same page over several issues. Already, sections of the BJP and Sena (Shinde) have started blaming the NCP faction led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar for the Mahayuti’s Lok Sabha debacle. Some local units have gone to the extent of demanding removal of the NCP(A) from the Yuti. Countering statements against each other are becoming common for the Mahayuti, posing a challenge for the leadership.
Verbal War Between Uddhav Sena And BJP Over Kangana Ranaut’s Visit To Maharashtra Sadan In New Delhi
Newly elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s visit to Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi a couple of days ago has set afire a verbal war between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the BJP. News reports that Kangana had demanded the CM’s reserved suite in the state guest house and their subsequent refute by the Sadan officials have stoked bout of invectives. Sena MP Sanjay Raut has ridiculed Kangana’s reported demand and advised the Himachal Pradesh government to allot the suite reserved for that state’s CM in Himachal Bhawan to her. He has made some other remarks, too, against her. Taking on his old adversary, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane has rushed to challenge Raut by firing several questions at him. Rane has reminded his bete noire that Kangana is an elected MP and not “a backdoor MP” like him, referring to Raut’s third Rajya Sabha term. Attacking Raut’s criticism of the screen heroine, Rane has asked him, “Should it be made known about the stay of a Bollywood actress at the house you occupy?” To rub in the assault, Rane has dared Raut to seek an answer from Uddhav Thackeray about controversial police officer Sachin Vaze’s visits to the CM’s residence when he was holding the post. Raut had roasted the Maharashtra government about the latest drug racket bust in Pune. Responding in the same vein, Rane has asked him to clarify what steps the state had taken under Uddhav against the drug menace. Enough indications suggest that the two sides will become more virulent.
Veteran leader Sharad Pawar’s grandson Rohit Pawar has threatened to make a sensational disclosure regarding the state government within two days, involving commissions exceeding Rs 5000 crore. The NCP (SP) MLA, who is emerging as the potential future power centre within the party, has been making his presence felt. For some time, he is seen as the chief attacker against the rival NCP led by his uncle, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. The recent drubbing received by Ajit’s NCP in the Lok Sabha election has created flutters in his party, with news reports galore that some of his followers are likely to cross over to the NCP (SP). Against this backdrop, Rohit’s meeting with Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais has created considerable suspense. His explanation that the meeting was to discuss certain vital issues of the state’s concern is hardly taken at face value. In his ‘X’ post, Rohit has claimed that bills worth Rs 20,000 crore for the public works department are already pending payment. Despite this, why new works costing similar huge amounts are being taken up. “Wait for two days, a big explosion is on its way,” he said. Alleging that the new expenditure will be incurred to show to the public that ‘something’ is being done for them, Rohit has warned the NDA rulers in the state that they will meet the same fate as in the Lok Sabha election for the coming assembly election.
Senior leader Sharad Pawar has set a cat among the pigeons by his oblique dissatisfaction about the seat sharing within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for the Lok Sabha election. “Our party should have obtained more seats but I capitulated in the interest of the MVA unity,” Pawar said at a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) meeting on Friday. Without elaborating, he asked his followers to work harder for the coming assembly election. Known for his tongue-in-cheek remarks, Pawar’s veiled comment is interpreted as an attempt to create pressure on the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) to yield more seats for his NCP faction for the assembly polls. The strike rate of Pawar’s party was the highest in MVA for the LS election. It contested 10 seats and won eight while the Congress bagged 13 by contesting 17. The Sena was the worst performer, winning nine seats against the 21 it fought. Pawar’s observation has come when the MVA is said to be in favour of allotting 96 assembly constituencies to each partner in the 288-member house. Without saying so, Pawar has transmitted the message that the two partners should rein in their horses while demanding any seat share. The seat distribution assumes importance since it has been tacitly agreed that the next MVA chief minister will belong to the party which has the maximum number of MLAs.
On the heels of NCP(A) Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar, the BJP’s high profile OBC leader Pankaja Munde is said to be considering the same route to enter the parliament. Already, there is much consternation in the ruling NDA in Maharashtra since deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra has been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha despite her resounding defeat in the Lok Sabha election by her sister in law Supriya Sule. The justification that Sunetra has been elected from the NCP(A) quota is not going down well. As if this is not enough, sections of the media have indicated that Sunetra, a political greenhorn, is eager for a slot in the Union council of ministers. Pankaja, too, has lost the recent Lok Sabha election. She was humbled by a political novice fielded by the NCP (SP). She was asked to contest for LS though she had lost the last assembly election. Sunetra’s example has emboldened Pankaja’s supporters to demand the RS slot for her. The backdrop for the clamour are the two reservation agitations underway in Maharashtra presently. While the Maratha stir has been revived, a few OBC leaders have begun their indefinite fast unto death to oppose any possible move to cut a slice out of the OBC reservation for the Maratha caste. If Pankaja is sent to the RS and made a Union minister, the OBC vote bank in the state will return to the NDA, her supporters are arguing.
The Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar is presently buffeted by successive jolts. The latest are the suspense surrounding senior OBC minister Chhagan Bhujbal and the demand by sections in the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde) to distance the NCP(A) in view of the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Intricately linked with this development, Bhujbal’s next step will impact the state politics since he is the focus of the Maratha-OBC conflict over the demand for reservations for the dominant caste. Bhujbal has been under pressure by his supporters to take a ‘decisive step’ about staying on with the NDA. Feelers are circulating that he could stage a homecoming – by returning to the Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray. He had left the Sena in 1992 to join the Congress and later switched over to the NCP floated by Sharad Pawar in 1999. His decision to go behind Ajit Pawar had astounded even his close supporters. Bhujbal can command a substantial OBC vote bank. If this is not enough for the NCP(A), some elements in the BJP and the Sena (Shinde) have started complaining that the NDA candidates in their areas did not receive the expected support from Ajit’s party. The anger has been heightened due to Ajit’s decision to send his wife Sunetra to the Rajya Sabha despite her defeat in the Lok Sabha election. The next week will prove testing for the three-party ruling alliance for several other reasons, too.
The man at the centre of the EVM controversy, Shiv Sena (Shinde) Lok Sabha member Ravindra Waikar, has challenged the detractors of his victory to prove that the EVMs can be hacked. Had it been possible, the NDA could have won more than 400 seats, he said while reprimanding them. Waikar called on MNS leader Raj Thackeray on Tuesday to thank him for his support. About the crucial chain of events on 4 June, Waikar said his opponent, UBT Sena’s Amol Kirtikar, was declared ahead by a single vote at the end of the EVM vote counting. In the morning, when (postal) ballots were counted, he had obtained 1550 votes against Amol’s 1501. When both EVM and ballot votes were counted, there was a margin of 48 votes on his side, he maintained. Waikar claimed that at 5.51 pm that day, Amol was reported to have won by a margin of 2200 votes. At that time, over one lakh votes had remained to be counted. Hence he checked with election officials, who said it was not declared by them. “This means some more people, too, had mobile phones inside the counting centre,” he asserted. On the other hand, Amol has declared his resolve to challenge Waikar’s election in the Bombay high court. A purported statement by Elon Musk has provided gist to the opposition ammunition. However, Waikar has welcomed any challenge to his victory.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is now at the receiving end for varying reasons. On the heels of the criticism published in the RSS mouthpiece ‘Organiser’ against the BJP’s decision to take him along, the NCP led by him decided to field his wife Sunetra for the lone Rajya Sabha vacancy from the state. As her’s is the only nomination, she will be elected unopposed. The disapproval of the decision emanates from the fact that Sunetra was defeated in the Lok Sabha election by Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule. Despite this, Ajit has prevailed upon his party leaders to grant the seat to her. The absence of chief minister Eknath Shinde and DCM Devendra Fadanvis at the time of filing of the nomination by Sunetra has added to the political speculation against Ajit. His clarification that he had not invited anyone for the filing, which was attended by only NCP(A) leaders, is seen as a lame defence. Ajit also did not respond to the ‘Organiser’ criticism, which had observed that the BJP had lessened its brand value by including Ajit in the state government. He said different people expressed their opinions after elections and they had a full right to do so. “I have concentrated on development. We have to face the coming assembly election with fresh vigour,” he said, declining to be drawn in a new controversy.
Newly elected Lok Sabha member Nilesh Lanke will like the public to believe that he accepted felicitation and refreshments from an unknown individual without knowing that the person was a dreaded gangster. “I realised what had happened only the next morning,” was Lanke’s explanation after his pictures with recently released don Gajanan Marne in Pune became viral. The clarification is laced with scorn and suspense since it is difficult to accept that a MP can be stopped by any unfamiliar person anywhere along any road and that he responds to such an invite with his presence without asking any questions. Interestingly, Lanke was with the NCP of Ajit Pawar till the eve of the Lok Sabha election. He switched over to the NCP under Sharad Pawar at the last moment and was fielded promptly against Sujay Vikhe Patil, a scion of the powerful sugar baron family. The feud between Sharad Pawar and the Vikhe family is well-known. Lanke has been elected by a comfortable margin. His unplanned visit to Gajanan, known as Gaja, raises many eyebrows. Gaja leads a gang which has about two dozen serious offences registered against it. Only recently, he was in Yerawada jail. The suspense has been created since Ajit Pawar’s son Parth, too, had met Gaja last year and the resultant furore had seen Ajit disapproving this meeting. All eyes are now on what Sharad Pawar says about Lanke’s explanation.
Veteran leader Sharad Pawar is now believed to be preparing a strategy to humble his nephew Ajit Pawar in the family home turf of Baramati by fielding Yugendra Pawar, his (Ajit’s) nephew, for the coming legislative assembly election. Ever since Ajit formed the breakaway faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) last year, Pawar has rarely spoken publicly against his erstwhile disciple. But his daughter Supriya has resoundingly defeated Sunetra, wife of Ajit in the Lok Sabha election. Even as Ajit has vowed to restart from scratch to win the coming election, Pawar has unsheathed his next move, it is felt. Defeating Ajit himself in Baramati will effectively end his political career, Pawar knows. Hence, his supporters have demanded that Yugendra should be the NCP(SP) candidate for the October assembly election from Baramati. Yugendra is the son of Pawar’s younger brother Shriniwas. He is an entrepreneur and treasurer of the Vidya Pratishthan, the academic gem in the Pawar fiefdom. Besides, he supervises the affairs of one of the sugar factories under the Pawar umbrella. Shriniwas and Yugendra actively campaigned for Supriya during the LS election. In his typical style, Pawar has asked his followers to wait and watch in response to their clamour for Yugendra. The cards will be opened step by step as the political scene in New Delhi develops, keeping all options open for Pawar.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde has started mending fences immediately after the formation of the Union cabinet. His confidant Naresh Mhaske, the new Shiv Sena (Shinde) MP, has called on MNS leader Raj Thackeray ‘to thank and seek his blessings’ for the public meeting held by the latter in Thane in support of Shinde’s son Shrikant and Mhaske. The MNS is unhappy with the BJP bigwigs for not inviting Raj for the swearing-in ceremony of the Modi cabinet on 9 June. Senior BJP minister Sudhir Mungantiwar’s explanation that this may have happened due to some oversight on the part of the officials preparing the list has not gone down well. Though thousands of invitees attended, how come the MNS chief was forgotten, his rank and file have started asking. Raj will express his feelings about this lapse at the party rally to be held in Mumbai on June 12. The CM’s close associate, health minister Tanaji Sawant, visited Raj’s Shivaji Park residence to assuage his feelings. Raj’s open support came handy for BJP’s Narayan Rane in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg and for Mhaske in Thane. In fact, Shinde had made it a prestige issue to claim the Thane seat despite the BJP’s stiff resistance. Mhaske’s and Shrikant victory has augmented the Sena (Shinde) presence in the district.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray’s total silence about the NDA’s rout in the state in Lok Sabha elections was found to be intriguing by those who know him well. The mystery has deepened owing to his decision to withdraw his party’s candidate from the Konkan Graduate Constituency election for one vacancy in the state legislative council. The decision to withdraw Raj’s ardent follower Abhijit Panse, who had entered the fray last week. His candidature had perplexed the NDA partners since it was a unilateral decision. More so because the seat has been with BJP’s Niranjan Davkhare, who is seeking re-election. MNS leader Nitin Sardesai announced that his party decided to withdraw Panse at the express request made by Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to Raj. Some strain had been created due to Panse’s decision to contest and the stoic silence maintained by Raj had only heightened the suspense. All said and done, the withdrawal by Panse has come as a great relief for the BJP, which is still recovering from the LS drubbing. Had there been a triangular fight, the risk of the INDIA candidate benefiting at the cost of the BJP would have loomed large. Fadanvis and Raj have saved the situation but have posed more questions.
Feeling confident of electoral victories hereafter, prominent partners in the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra have started staking their claims in different ways. For instance, state Congress president Nana Patole has been projected as a future chief minister by some of his supporters. Since the Congress party has won the largest number of seats in the state for INDIA, Patole has described it as ‘elder brother’ in the state polity. Reminding the others that the Congress is a national party, he has remarked that the younger brothers should behave accordingly. The small groups which stayed with his party have now grown into political parties, Patole retorted. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has not taken lightly to the statement. “There is no elder or younger brother in the state. The Congress has had its symbol and the organisation, whereas we have developed our party by taking various challenges head on and facing many difficulties,” Raut growled. He was referring to the split in the Sena a couple of years ago. The elder position or otherwise will be determined by the number of seats won by respective parties, Raut said, obviously indicating at the seat sharing formula for the coming legislative assembly election later this year. With speculation galore about potential defections across the state’s political spectrum, the tussle even before the match is announced promises to be more and more interesting.
Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar finally broke his near-silence over the Pune Porsche accident tragedy. His refusal to make any statement immediately after the horrific incident had provided his opponents enough fodder to attack him. Ajit Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party on Saturday (June 1) supported his party MLA Sunil Tingre’s action of rushing to the Yerawada police station following calls from the accused minor’s father, Vishal Agrawal within minutes after the car hit that killed two techies. Defending the MLA, Ajit said it is common for elected representatives to visit after some major incident takes place in their constituency. However, he insisted that the police had done their duty by the book. Ajit listed the actions taken by the police, by the public health department against the two Sassoon Hospital doctors and by the state excise department after the mishap. He pointed out that the four members of the Agrawal family had been arrested. Hence, there was no question of shielding anyone, he thundered. Ajit has been facing criticism from various quarters, he being the guardian minister of Pune district in which the tragedy occurred on 19 May. Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar, too, has maintained that Tingre did come to the police station though the police had acted as per rules and regulations. Ajit has already accepted social activist Anjali Damania’s challenge to undergo a narco test in regard to the whole episode.
Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit) is experiencing some unease at present over the perceived adverse line adopted by its senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal. The latest cause is Bhujbal’s defence of rival NCP (Sharad) leader Jitendera Awhad, who is facing flak for tearing a picture of Dr BR Ambedkar during a protest action. The BJP and NCP (Ajit) have held protest demonstrations to condemn his lapse. Rather than following the Mahayuti line, Bhujbal has supported Awhad by saying that the error happened when he was protesting against Manusmritii. “We will not allow backdoor entry of this retrograde social code,” Bhujbal declared, annoying his own party. When a huge hoarding collapsed in Ghatkopar, Mumbai a couple of weeks ago, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray was attacked by some Mahayuti leaders in connection with the permission granted for erecting the massive billboard. At that time, too, Bhujbal had termed the criticism of Thackeray as wrong. Earlier Bhujbal had been refused the Lok Sabha Nashik candidacy, despite his efforts to obtain blessings from Delhi. During electioneering, he had stated that the response to the rallies of Sharad Pawar and Uddhav was overwhelming. Being a powerful OBC leader, it will be difficult for the NCP (Ajit) to touch Bhujbal. On the other hand, his choices to return to his earlier parties seem limited owing to his various caustic attacks against Sharad Pawar and Uddhav. The lid on the mystery will be lifted soon after the Lok Sabha results are out on 4 June, it is felt.
After roasting deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar with various grave allegations, social activist Anjali Damania has now blamed the entire Pawar family “for vitiating the politics of Maharashtra.” Rogue and mafia elements from various parties have joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), she has said without making any distinction in regard to its vertical split. Damania came into the limelight some years ago when she trained her guns against powerful OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal. She turned her attention towards Ajit, the then DCM, around a decade ago. Ever since, Damania has been needling Ajit and the NCP on different counts. Only yesterday, she had demanded Ajit’s narco test in connection with his silence over the Pune car crash tragedy. If the Pune police commissioner was saying that he had not spoken with Ajit but the latter was insisting that they had held a conversation, what was the reality, she had asked and demanded to know the truth. Ajit accepted her challenge but issued an ultimatum of his own. “I am ready for a narco test. But Anjali should retire from public life if nothing comes out of the test.” Damania has accepted the challenge with a rider. She says she will frame the questions for the test. “If Ajit Pawar emerges unscathed, I guarantee that I shall not be seen on any public platform, as demanded by him,” she has dared him. In her attack against the NCP, she says, “If any one party needs to be finished, it is the NCP.”
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray’s London visit has been embroiled in politics after one of his statements that 37 Information Technology (IT) companies have shifted outside Maharashtra has roiled the ruling three-party alliance in the state. Uddhav is known for going abroad, generally to Europe, during summers. He has been away in London this time, too. But his stinging indictment of the current regime over the Pune development has instigated BJP MLA Nitesh Rane. He has challenged Uddhav to repeat the charge by swearing in the name of his (Uddhav) two sons. Rane has hit back that the companies left Maharashtra during Uddhav’s tenure as chief minister. He has alleged that Uddhav had been indulging in falsehood. “Pack up those in London itself who are damaging the image of Maharashtra by sitting in London,” Rane has remarked. Chief minister Eknath Shinde, too, has used the opportunity to take pot shots at his predecessor. When Shinde was at his farm in Satara district, he was quizzed about Uddhav’s London sojourn. He said he preferred to return to his village rather than travelling abroad, without naming his former boss. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs in Pune have blamed the poor and deteriorating infrastructure in Hinjewadi, the IT hub in Pune, for the flight of several companies to other states over the past 10 years. They have demanded immediate attention of the state government to improve the situation.
The Pune car crash tragedy is haunting Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar with a demand for his narco test and examination of his mobile phone. The demand made by social activist Anjali Damania has rattled his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), prompting its spokesman to remark that Damania operates on ‘recharge,’ thereby meaning that she repeats the allegations made by someone else. Suraj Chavan, a NCP spokesman, has asked for her narco test, in retaliation. The silence of Ajit after the Pune tragedy of 19 May had generated much speculation. Though he is guardian minister of Pune district, Ajit has kept himself away from the case lest some allegations could follow. State Congress president Nana Patole has added another twist by indicating that one of the four occupants of the ill-fated Porsche car was the son of a MLA. Though he has not disclosed any name or produced any evidence, the gravity of the charge has made the picture murkier. The latest angle in this sordid chain has been added by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushama Andhare. “Ensure safety of Dr Ajay Taware’s life,” she has said, in reference to his threat that he will spill the beans and not spare anyone. Dr Taware and his colleague Dr Shrihari Halnor are under arrest for switching the blood sample of the accused minor. If the blood sample can be faked, anything can happen, she has cautioned. She, too, has not pointed a finger at any individual. But her apprehensions have been ridiculed by Sena (Shinde) spokesman Sanjay Shirsat.
Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar’s trusted lieutenant Sonia Duhan has decided to walk out of the party. Known for her daredevil acts when the party was facing crises, Sonia has blamed her mentor’s daughter Supriya Sule, for the decision which is bound to wound the already depleting party. Sonia hit the headlines last year when she brought back four NCP MLAs to Pawar from Ajit Pawar camp, who had parted ways with his uncle. Sonia’s role during the Shiv Sena split was noticed as well. Hailing from Hisar in Haryana, Sonia was then publicly lauded and her proximity with the veteran was discussed. However, the honeymoon seems to be over. Sonia and Dheeraj Sharma, two leading north Indian soldiers of Pawar, will cease their association with the NCP, which Sonia had joined in 2021. While announcing her decision, she said none from the NCP (Sharad) had approached her nor asked for the reason for her resignation. Sonia is extremely bitter about Supriya. She said, “Supriya called me up on 23 May and used such language that has forced me to quit.” Sonia has no immediate plans to join any other party, especially not the NCP under Ajit Pawar. She commented that a political party can’t run on social media. Sonia said the party affairs were well till Sharad Pawar headed it. But when Supriya took over, things began going wrong. “Supriya is the party president but not a party leader,” Sonia retorted.
The Pune Police force and the State Excise Department personnel are now facing the focus following allegations that their monthly graft collection is of Rs78 lakh. Pune’s Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has distributed a list of the bars and liquor shops which allegedly pass on a monthly ‘hafta’ to the two departments. He has charged that in the last two years, Rs 2.5 crore has been extorted by these authorities while issuing licenses for new pubs, bars and liquor shops. The list gives details about the establishments with their addresses and the monthly amount paid by them. Dangekar also disclosed the names of the ‘collectors’ who do the job of visiting these places and collecting cash amounts. He has claimed that this information has been supplied to him by the harassed staff members in the two departments. Dhangekar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushama Andhare stormed the Excise office in Pune on Monday (May 27) and took the officials there to task. When they were not satisfied with the official explanation about the action taken, the duo challenged the authorities to take them around to show the pubs and bars operating in and around Pune. The locations under their scanner include Viman Nagar, Koregaon Park, Kalyani Nagar, Bhugaon, Baner, Hinjewadi, Pimpri Chinchwad and the hill station of Lonawala. Dhangekar also raised questions about the closure action against various pubs and bars taken by the various Pune authorities, including the municipal corporation. “If these were illegal, how were they operating all this time?” he asked, warning that his agitation will intensify.
Pune Porsche Horror: Two Sassoon Hospital Doctors Accepted Rs 3 Lakh To Replace Minor's Blood Sample
The embattled Pune police have heaved a sigh of relief after arresting two doctors from the government-run Sassoon Hospital on charges of replacing the blood sample of the main accused minor, who is charged with crushing two techies to death on Sunday last. The doctors, Ajay Tawre and Shrihari Halnor, were apprehended on Monday (May 27) morning for arranging to accept the graft amount of Rs 3 lakh and for sending bogus blood samples to the laboratory of the minor. The police were under fire since no blood report of the accused was forthcoming even after four days. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has explained that when the first blood report was sent to them, it said there was no trace of alcohol. This blatant ploy raised their suspicion and investigation took another turn. The second testing proved that the sample did not belong to the accused. It has now transpired that the accused’s father Vishal Agrarwal had contacted Dr Tawre and then it was decided to replace the blood sample in return for money. An attendant in the hospital’s post mortem section brought the graft amount in a Swift car, the commissioner has disclosed. The arrest of the two doctors has started another controversy since Dr Tawre has been with the hospital for 15 years though government stipulations say that normally, an officer should be transferred every three years. Reportedly, Dr Taware, who had been medical superintendent for approximately eight years, was instructed by the DMER to step down from his post in 2022 following alleged malpractice in the kidney transplant procedure. The regional organ transplant authorisation committee was then temporarily suspended. But in 2023, NCP (Ajit faction) MLA Sunil Tingre had written a letter to Health Minister Hasan Mushrif to reinstate Dr Taware and the same was done.
It is not just rarest of the rare, it is perhaps unique. Three generations of the same family find themselves in custody in connection with the same incident. Pune builder Vishal Agarwal’s minor son, just short of 18 years, had been arrested by the police for allegedly causing the death of two techies under his speeding Porsche on Sunday, May 19. Vishal’s father Surendra Kumar Agarwal has now been arrested by the police. He will cool his heels in custody till May 28. The ill-fated car’s driver, Gangaram Pujari, was detained illegally in Agarwal’s house and was pressured by Surendra to tell the police that he (Pujari), and not the minor, was at the wheel at the time of the tragedy, according to police charges. Pujari was taken to Agarwal’s house by a police party to recreate the alleged detention’s chain of events. Surendra, it was reported earlier, has been found to have links with underworld don Chhota Rajan. His act of detention of the driver will be presented to the court soon. The police party also interrogated the household help and checked some documents. Incidentally, after a prolonged silence, Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has explained that he has been monitoring the investigation of the case in Pune, he being the guardian minister of the district. His silence had become a topic of speculation and criticism.
The Pune car crash tragedy is taking a political turn as different angles connected with the police station concerned and the family of builder Vishal Agarwal are coming out, one after another. The latest is about veteran leader Sharad Pawar. A picture of Pawar with the lawyer of the accused family members went viral on social media. When Pawar was asked about it on Friday, he lost temper and said connecting any past meeting with this episode was not fair. He retorted that it was not necessary that he should express opinion on every issue. The Pawar family is facing criticism on several counts about the deadly car crash. His daughter Supriya Sule, MP, broke her silence over the incident after she was repeatedly attacked for not saying a word for four days about it in her hometown. When Pawar was asked why his nephew and now adversary Ajit Pawar was not seen handling the investigation as guardian minister of Pune district, he snapped, “Ask this question to Ajit.” Even as the furore continues, local Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has levelled serious allegations of corruption against Pune police force. The Lok Sabha candidate has circulated a couple of pictures of constables from a police station in inebriated mood and has threatened to expose such elements from different police stations every day from today. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has condemned politicisation of the sorry incident, saying that Pawar and I.N.D.I.A bloc are facing depression.
Skeletons are tumbling out of the wealthy Agarwal family’s cupboard following the arrest of its young member, whose Porsche car crushed two people in Pune late last week. A feud over property between two brothers, Ram Kumar and Surendra Kumar Agarwal, had an underworld connection, according to a Shiv Sena (Shinde) functionary. Another allegation is that some molestation angle, too, has come forward, believed to be another cause of this clan conflict. The family business values over Rs 600 crore and many prestigious structures in Pune and around have been constructed by one of the family firms. Surendra is the grandfather of the accused youngster. Sena leader Ajay Bhosale has disclosed that Surendra had sought help from underworld don Chhota Rajan to pop off Bhosale, who was friendly with Ram Kumar. Visiting Bangkok to meet Rajan to discuss the alleged contract, Surendra had told the don that Bhosale was hindering the settlement between the two brothers. Bhosale was shot in Pune in 2009 and a case has been sub-judice in the matter ever since, he told the media. Bhosale’s chagrin was evident when he remarked that the Agarwal family thought that it could do anything and escape scot free. Vishal, father of the accused, has many high level connections, it has transpired. Once his mobile phone is unlocked, more skeletons are likely to follow, investigators believe.
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray’s wife Rashmi’s insistence to install Aaditya as the chief minister of Maharashtra in 2019 was overruled by veteran leader Sharad Pawar, who had refused to offer the same post to Ajit Pawar in 2004 since he wanted to promote Supriya Sule’s image as a future chief minister. Once Aaditya’s name was rejected, then unified Sena leaders Sanjay Raut and Anil Desai had pleaded with Pawar to appoint Uddhav as CM. This chain of events has been described by NCP (Ajit) chief spokesman Umesh Patil. He was trying to refute various claims being made by leaders of different parties involved over the past few days. Patil said the unified NCP had more MLAs than the Congress in 2004 and Ajit Pawar, as NCP legislative party leader, was the logical choice as CM. But Sharad Pawar put his foot down because he wanted to ensure that no competitor to his daughter Supriya should emerge. Patil also dismissed Raut’s claim that Eknath Shinde’s chief ministership was opposed by senior leaders Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare. Even in 2019, it had been decided by the NCP to team up with the BJP. However, Sharad Pawar reversed his stand at the eleventh hour, Patil has said. He claimed that the then Sena had decided to elevate Shinde as CM but Rashmi’s intervention led to Uddhav’s appointment.
No sooner was polling for the Lok Sabha over in Maharashtra, than a spate of sensational charges has started making rounds in political circles in the state. At least a dozen MLAs of the NCP (Ajit) are likely to cross over to the BJP after the results are out while many others may return to the NCP led by Sharad Pawar, according to state Congress spokesman Atul Londhe. He has specifically mentioned the names of NCP(Ajit faction) state president Sunil Tatkare and prominent OBC leader Dhananjay Munde, who had deserted the BJP a decade ago to join Sharad Pawar. The ‘X’ post by Londhe has taken a swipe, saying that Ajit Pawar perhaps would remain the lone member of his party. The post has come after Ajit’s trusted lieutenant Nilesh Lanke has once again refuted reports that he is returning to NCP (Sharad Pawar). He has stated that he will continue to follow Ajit Pawar. Even before denials were issued by NCP(Ajit) to contradict Londhe’s post, another audacious statement has created ripples. BJP MLA Nitesh Rane has claimed that Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray and his family are planning to flee to London after the LS results are out on 4 June. Rane, the second son of former CM Narayan Rane, has demanded that the authorities impound the passports of the Thackeray family. The verbal battle in the state is certain to escalate in the days to come.
Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) is forced to go on the defensive in connection with the two-day old Pune car tragedy as its local MLA’s name has been linked with the alleged royal treatment given to the minor offender. Congress and Uddhav Sena leaders have seized the opportunity to lambast the three-party Mahayuti government in the state. According to the chargesheet filed by Pune police, the accused’s speeding car killed two youngsters. His father, famous builder Vishal Agarwal, as well as the owner and manager of the bar when the minor consumed liquor have been arrested. From the moment the news of the accident became viral, the name of NCP (Ajit faction) MLA Sunil Tingre began surfacing. As the offender had been reportedly served with pizza and burger while under arrest in the police station, social media was agog with discussion that Tingre had intervened on behalf of the builder. On Tuesday (May 21), Tingre finally came out with an elaborate explanation, claiming that he had not hindered the police procedure at any stage. Soon thereafter, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar called Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar and asked him not to come under any political pressure. Amitesh denied all social gossip and maintained that the police had taken utmost precaution while applying various criminal charges. He announced that efforts will be made to apply IPC 302, considering the gravity of the incident.
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has fired the first salvo in the electoral battle by implying that the election officials in Mumbai had been deliberately slowing the pace of polling and that delays were occurring in the areas supporting him. It may be recalled that he was the first prominent I.N.D.I.A bloc leader to come out against EVMs a couple of months ago. A visibly ruffled Uddhav told the media that in certain localities, voters’ identity was verified repeatedly. It appeared that the Election Commission representatives in various polling centres were delaying the process. “If you find that the delaying is on purpose, get the names of the officials concerned so that if we go to court tomorrow, the information will be useful,” Uddhav thundered. He explicitly alleged that this was Modi government’s design to see to it that the voting against it was lessened. “But don’t fall for such tricks. Wait till tomorrow morning but do vote,” he appealed to people. Uddhav said these complaints were received from the areas where voting was in favour of the Opposition. He charged that this dirty game was being perpetrated through the EC. It could be said that the EC was working for the Modi government, he taunted. Uddhav was speaking against the backdrop of the complaints that the pace of polling was very slow and causing harassment to the elderly and the physically challenged.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray’s presence at the dais graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on May 17 has started generating political speculation. The most common inference is that MNS and the Shiv Sena led by chief minister Eknath Shinde will come together and the new entity will be headed by Raj, who will be called Shiv Sena chief, a title exclusively used for the late Balasaheb Thackeray. At the NDA rally at Shivaji Park, Raj praised Modi’s leadership and had presented five demands on behalf of Maharashtra. In response, Modi declared that all that was required for Mumbai would be done by him. However, the prominence given to Raj, who spoke just before Modi, has surprised even his supporters. Taking a cue from the social media posts, Republican leader Prakash Ambedkar, too, has predicted that Raj will head the Sena (Shinde). However, Ambedkar ridiculed both Raj and Uddhav Thackeray. He said it was likely that both cousins will go with Modi. The caustic criticism of the PM by Uddhav was just a charade, Ambedkar remarked. On the other hand, Uddhav has lashed out at Raj and called him ‘suparibaj’ in an interview. He said the NDA wanted a Thackeray on its stage and got one, like the hired crowd that had filled up the venue. Raj has maintained total silence though expected to give a reply in his trademark stinging fashion soon.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde’s last Nasik visit had turned into a political slugfest since Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had questioned why the CM needed large suitcases for such a brief visit. “What was in the bags,” he had asked, apparently to imply that they were stuffed with cash. When Shinde landed at Nashik on Thursday (May 16), his luggage was examined by election and police officials. They later declared that the baggage contained only some essentials, including medicines. Shinde then teased his opponents by saying, “Yes, today also I have come with bags.” The Nashik Lok Sabha seat is among prominent fights in the state as Shinde’s loyalist Hemant Godse finally secured the NDA nomination despite local BJP and NCP opposition. He is opposed by rival Shiv Sena’s Rajabhau Waje, picked by Uddhav to wrest the seat. Senior NCP (Ajit) leader Chhagan Bhujbal, too, had thrown his hat in the ring and his name was almost finalized though Godse was asked to go ahead at the last minute. Ever since, the holy town of Nashik has turned into a fierce battlefield, Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and other top leaders from both sides have been frequently visiting it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s May 15 rally has only highlighted the importance of the constituency.
He was conspicuous by his absence. Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was missing when PM Narendra Modi visited Maharashtra on May 15. Ajit’s second disappearance has become a topic of political speculation though his aides have clarified that he is down with throat infection. This is Ajit’s second act of disappearance in as many years. The first disappearance was in April 2023 and it immediately became hot news against the backdrop of constant gossip that Maharashtra’s BJP leadership had been in touch with him. Ajit teamed up with the BJP in July 2023 as deputy chief minister and was greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public function by tapping him on the back. At that time, too, it was clarified that he was indisposed and hence unavailable. It was also remembered that he was not present when Modi filed his Varanasi nomination a couple of days ago. Ajit’s NCP was represented by senior leader Praful Patel. When Modi visited Kalyan on May 15 before reaching Mumbai, Ajit’s close confidant Sunil Tatkare honoured the PM. Now, it has been confirmed that Ajit Pawar will attend mega rally at Shivaji Park on Friday. The rally’s another highlight will be MNS chief Raj Thackeray, a severe critic of the unified NCP. Ajit was last seen publicly on 13 May at Baramati from where his wife Sunetra is pitted against cousin Supriya Sule. Taking a swipe at his nephew, veteran Sharad Pawar sarcastically quipped, “Ajit is really unwell at present.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Friday (May 17) will have one more attraction. MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s presence at the crucial campaign meet is expected to benefit the ruling Mahayuti for the polling to be held on 20 May in Mumbai and around. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule has confirmed the consent of Raj, after calling on him to thank the MNS for its help in Pune and Nashik election campaigning. The six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai as well as those in Thane and Kalyan have become a prestige issue for both sides, the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi, as the political fates of chief minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray will depend upon the outcome. To ensure the saffron alliance’s victory, PM Modi was urged to give time for the Mumbai rally. His acceptance has boosted the spirits of the Yuti. Raj is expected to lambast cousin Uddhav’s decision to embrace the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, as well as his increasing affinity towards the minorities. CM Shinde and Raj jointly plan to breach the traditional strongholds of the Sena (UBT), especially in Mumbai. The partnership will apply to the legislative assembly election slated in October this year. Considering the potential of this cooperation, Raj has been wooed by the BJP and Shinde. He, too, has responded positively, signalling a long term camaraderie.
The alleged kingpin of the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse tragedy, Bhavesh Bhinde, is facing serious charges like attempt to rape and at least two dozen other cases are pending against him, according to his own declaration. The 51-year old had unsuccessfully contested an assembly election in 2009 from Mulund constituency. The absconding Bhinde’s picture along with Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has gone viral and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders have launched a tirade against their arch political foe. Though most of the cases against Bhinde pertain to erecting unauthorised hoardings, the one at Ghatkopar has opened Pandora Box after its collapse that claimed over 14 lives and left 74 injured. The controversial hoarding has been standing since 2022. Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had filed complaints against it though no action was taken by the authorities. This has led to a political slugfest between the Sena (UBT) and the BJP. Sena MP Sanjay Raut has blamed the fact that there is no elected civic house and hence the administrator in Mumbai is responsible for the mishap. In a sharp retort, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane has said that Raut’s brother Sunil had taken Bhinde to Matoshri to meet Uddhav. While former minister Anil Parab has maintained that his party is not connected with Bhinde, top leaders of the Congress and the NCP headed by Sharad Pawar have maintained silence about the incident.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeay has become a latest target of the Shiv Sena (UBT) after he pledged his support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Nationalist Democratic Alliance (NDA). Now, Sena leader Sushama Andhare’s attack of Raj in choicest terms after the former had targeted her in a public rally a couple of days ago is repeatedly flashed by Marathi news channels. At the time, Raj had shown an old video clip of Andhare, who had criticised Balasaheb Thackeray about 27 years ago. ‘How could you accept such a person in your party?’ Raj had asked cousin Uddhav, in a bid to embarrass him. An enraged Andhare, who has emerged as a firebrand orator, said Raj is known for his pro-establishment stands taken from time to time. As he has no constructive agenda, he is filled with negativity, Andhare told news channels after the speech of Raj went viral. She said Raj should have respected Balasaheb’s memory by honouring the Sena chief’s appeal to take care of Uddhav and Aaditya, made before his demise. Andhare reminded Raj that his MNS was ridiculed by deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the past. ‘Now you are campaigning for the BJP,’ she pointed out. Andhare also dug up the sensational Ramesh Kini murder case to hit out at Raj.
Now that all Lok Sabha candidates have been announced in Maharashtra by major parties, the ruling Mahayuti alliance is planning to add ace orator Raj Thackeray to the list of its star campaigners. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the party established by Raj, has already become active in select Lok Sabha constituencies though its rank and file is yet to be roped in across the state. But that will happen in a couple of days, it is expected. Raj has already declared his support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA. He himself will launch his state tour either from Mumbai, Pune or Nashik. Raj’s main attack will focus on cousin Uddhav Thackeray and the Shiv Sena faction led by him. Hence, Raj will be seen more in Mumbai, Thane and the Konkan region, which are all Uddhav’s strongholds. Veteran Narayan Rane, who is contesting from the Sindhudurg-Ratnagiri seat on a BJP ticket, will be among the first to organise a public rally for Raj. Similarly, chief minister Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant (Kalyan) and his confidant Naresh Mhaske (Thane) are looking forward to holding meetings for Raj on whom they called in Mumbai. Similarly, BJP’s high profile candidate advocate Ujjwal Nikam had an hour-long meeting with Raj at the MNS chief’s residence. Raj has kept mum all these days and it is said that he is storing his ammunition for setting it afire at appropriate times.
TRENDS & VIEWS
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