Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Aijt Pawar on Thursday campaigned for his party candidates Nawab Malik and the latter's daughter Sana Malik in Mumbai, the PTI reported. Nawab Malik and his daughter Sana Malik are contesting the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 from eastern Mumbai. Nawab Malik, former state minority affairs minister and Anushaktinagar MLA, is NCP's nominee from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar assembly constituency, while Sana is NCP candidate from Anushaktinagar. NCP's ruling ally BJP has opposed Nawab Malik's candidature, over his alleged links with gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Flanked by Nawab Malik and Sana, Ajit Pawar rode in an open jeep in a rally in Mumbai, urging people to vote for the Malik father-daughter duo, as per the PTI. Arrested in February 2022 in connection with a money laundering case, Nawab Mailk was released on bail in August 2023. BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is among the ruling alliance leaders who had opposed fielding him for the assembly polls. People of Maharashtra do not like it: Ajit on Yogi's 'batenge to katenge' remark Meanwhile, a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reiterated his slogan "batenge to katenge" at a poll rally in Maharashtra, BJP ally and Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that the people of the state do not appreciate such remarks, according to the PTI. People of Maharashtra have always strived to maintain communal harmony, said Ajit Pawar. "Maharashtra belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj and Mahatma Phule. You do not compare Maharashtra with other states, Maharashtra's people do not like this," Ajit Pawar told reporters when asked about CM Yogi Adityanath's remarks, as per the PTI. Shivaji Maharaj's teaching was to take all sections of society along, he said. "When people from other states come here, they speak keeping their people in mind, but Maharashtra has never accepted it and it has been the history of all the elections here," the NCP chief further said. Speaking at a campaign rally in Washim in eastern Maharashtra for the November 20 assembly elections, Adityanath used his famous slogan . "I am taking inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and appealing you to not get divided, because whenever we get divided, we perish," he said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
07 November,2024 07:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested two more suspects in the Baba Siddiqui murder case, raising the total number of arrests to 18. The two suspects, both residents of Pune, were arrested in Pune and were reportedly in contact with accused Praveen Lonkar, who allegedly supplied them with around 50 bullets. The suspects were brought to Mumbai on Thursday and are scheduled to be presented in court today. The Mumbai Crime Branch said that two suspects arrested in the matter were identified as Aditya Raju Gulankar, 22 and Rafik Niyaz Shaikh, 22, both are residents of Karve Nagar in Pune. A senior official said that the investigation revealed that both accused were in contact with previously arrested individuals Pravin Lonkar and Rupesh Mohol. He said that Pravin Lonkar and Rupesh Mohol handed over a 9mm pistol and rounds to them, intended to be used in the crime. During the earlier investigation, the 9mm pistol was recovered. Efforts are ongoing to trace and seize the remaining ammunition. The accused in the Baba Siddique murder case have been presented in courtVia: @journofaizan #BabaSiddique #BabaSiddiquemurder #BabaSiddiquemurdercase #news pic.twitter.com/cfKsO6Q6Mx — Mid Day (@mid_day) November 7, 2024 Earlier, a 23-year-old man, who was allegedly part of the conspiracy to kill NCP leader Baba Siddique, was on Wednesday arrested from Pune, police said, making him the 16th accused to be held in connection with the high-profile murder. Apune, the 16th person to be arrested in the case, was part of the conspiracy to kill the former Maharashtra minister in Mumbai last month. He was produced before a local court which sent him to police remand till November 13. A team of the Mumbai crime branch, probing the case, detained Apune after questioning some of the arrested accused and revealed he was involved in the conspiracy to attack Siddique. The 23-year-old had a firearm and bullets with him, which he gave to one of the wanted accused. A search was on for the weapon which was in his possession. Siddique (66) was shot dead by three gunmen in Mumbai's Bandra area on October 12.
07 November,2024 06:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanIn a bid to streamline the handling of judicial matters and to ensure prompt civic action, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has issued a set of clear guidelines to the civic legal department, an official statement said on Thursday. It said that the guidelines focus on expediting judicial proceedings, ensuring accountability, and improving coordination across various municipal departments involved in legal matters. The directive came during a meeting with officials and staff from the BMC's Legal Department, held on November 6, at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (Byculla Zoo) in Mumbai. Senior officials including Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Ashwini Joshi, Joint Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner’s Office) Chandrashekhar Chore, Deputy Commissioner (General Administration) Kishore Gandhi, and Legal Officer Advocate Komal Punjabi were also present during the meeting, the statement said. Bhushan Gagrani highlighted the importance of prompt and accurate handling of all judicial cases that are filed by or against the BMC. "He instructed officials to immediately record and respond to all judicial cases, ensuring the submission of necessary affidavits and petitions through the Municipal Corporation’s sworn declarations. He also stressed the need for BMC's active participation in hearings, with the city’s legal stance being effectively presented in court," the statement said. It said, the civic chief said, "All departments under the BMC, including the legal department, must ensure that they attend hearings on the scheduled date and take immediate action on the court’s orders or instructions. The role of the municipal corporation in legal proceedings is crucial, especially concerning land agreements, property rights, contracts, and other administrative matters." Key instructions for handling judicial cases: - Gagrani stressed that all court cases should be tracked and necessary responses and affidavits should be submitted in time, ensuring compliance with the stipulated deadlines. - The BMC chief reiterated that any directives or judgments issued by courts must be implemented without delay, particularly in cases involving BMC’s properties or contracts. - Officials were instructed to maintain regular coordination with relevant municipal departments for timely updates and the handling of judicial cases. Legal officers, along with other BMC officials, are expected to ensure proper synchronisation for efficient management of these cases. - Gagrani highlighted the need for continuous training programs to increase legal literacy among municipal officers. These programs will ensure that officials are well-versed in legal procedures, and familiar with important laws like the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, and various other statutory regulations. - Gagrani was firm in his stance that any delays or negligence in handling judicial matters will not be tolerated. He warned that the municipality will hold responsible those officials who fail to take necessary actions on time. - To streamline the legal processes, the Commissioner also suggested the development of dedicated software for the legal department. He highlighted the importance of incorporating modern technology to handle case documentation, filing, and tracking, making the system more efficient and transparent. - The meeting stressed the need for a more synchronised approach, especially in dealing with cases related to BMC’s properties, development projects, and contractual matters. The legal department will coordinate closely with other municipal departments to ensure that each department’s role is clear and the necessary information is updated in a timely manner.
07 November,2024 05:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday released the 'Vachan Nama' (manifesto) for the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 and said that his party will make sure to fulfill the promises once MVA is voted to power. The MVA comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) and the alliance parties will also launch their manifestos separately. Uddhav Thackeray unveiled the 'Vachan Nama', setting out the party's promises and commitments to the people of the state. The manifesto highlights the party's vision for good governance, social welfare, etc. Addressing the media, Uddhav Thackeray highlighted that the "Vachan Nama" was a reflection of the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s unwavering commitment to the people of Maharashtra. He assured the public that the party would stay true to its promises if they were voted into power following the elections. Uddhav Thackeray said, "On behalf of Shiv Sena (UBT), I have just presented a promise to the public about what we will do after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government comes to power and how we will serve the people... We do what we say... We have fulfilled many promises and even today whatever promises we have made, we will fulfill them after getting the blessings of the people," the ANI reported. #WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "On behalf of Shiv Sena (UBT), I have just presented a promise to the public about what we will do after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government comes to power and how we will serve the people... We do what we say... We have… https://t.co/nkh6I4RD8y pic.twitter.com/cwZALxw7zK — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2024 The Shiv Sena (UBT) manifesto for the Maharashtra assembly polls, assures free education for male students, stabilising prices of essential items and scrapping of the Dharavi redevelopment project. Uddhav Thackeray, while releasing the manifesto at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Mumbai, said that most of the poll promises are part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) overall assurances, but there are some points which need special attention. Uddhav Thackeray said that every district will have a temple of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Uddhav has also promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme and remove the cap of 50 per cent reservation. (with ANI inputs)
07 November,2024 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Western Railway on Thursday said that it has collected over Rs 80.56 crore as fines during ticket checking drives from April to October 2024. In an official statement, the Western Railway said that in order to ensure hassle-free, comfortable travel and better services to all bonafide passengers over Western Railway, intensive ticket checking drives are being carried out continuously over Mumbai suburban local services, Mail/Express as well as passenger trains and holiday special trains so as to curb the menace of ticketless/irregular passengers. It said that the highly motivated ticket checking team under the supervision of senior commercial officers of Western Railway organised several ticket checking drives during the months of April to October 2024, thereby recovering an amount to the tune of Rs 80.56 crore, which also includes Rs 26.60 crore from Mumbai Suburban section. According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, during the month of October 2024, an amount of Rs. 12.10 crore was recovered through detection of 2.09 lakh ticketless/irregular passengers, including unbooked luggage cases. Also, in the month of October, Western Railway collected fines amounting to Rs. 3.90 crore through detection of 93 thousand cases over Mumbai Suburban section. "To prevent unauthorised entry in Mumbai AC local trains, frequent surprise ticket checking drives are carried out. As a result of these drives almost 34,800 unauthorised passengers have been penalised from April to October 2024 and over Rs. 115 lakh collected in fines," the Western Railway said. Indian Railways sets new record: Over 3 crore passengers travelled in a single day on 4th November Meanwhile, during this year's festive season from October 1 to November 5, 2024, Indian Railways achieved a remarkable feat by transporting 65 lakh passengers on 4,521 special trains in last thirty six days, an official statement said. It said that these additional services have played a crucial role in facilitating smooth travel during the ongoing Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations.These special efforts of Railways ensured lakhs of passengers could reach their destinations comfortably. This achievement shows Indian Railways' commitment to meeting the increased demand during peak festival times, making travel easier and more accessible for all. To meet the increased travel demand during the festive period from October 1 to November 30, Indian Railways announced a total of 7,724 special trains, marking a 73 per cent increase compared to last year’s 4,429 special train services. This substantial expansion aims to ensure seamless travel during the peak festival season. The statement said that the Indian Railways has operated an average of 175 special trains per day over the past four days to carry passengers to their destinations for Chhath Puja.
07 November,2024 03:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police have registered a case after Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan received a threatening call from a youth identified as Faizan. The call was made to the Bandra Police Station's landline on November 5. Following the incident, police teams were dispatched to Raipur, Chhattisgarh, after tracing the location linked to the caller’s phone number. The case has been registered at Bandra Police Station under Sections 308(4) and 351(3)(4) of the BNS Act. Mumbai Police constable Santosh Ghodke (32) received a threatening call on the Bandra Police Station’s landline on November 5 at around 1:21 pm. The call was made from a mobile number, and later that evening, around 9 pm, an FIR was registered. The investigation revealed that the phone was registered under the name Faizan Khan and that the call originated from Raipur. “Bandra Police Station received a call threatening actor Shah Rukh Khan and demanding ₹50 lakh. An offense has been registered at Bandra Police Station. No arrests have been made yet, and the investigation is ongoing,” said Zonal DCP Dikshit Gedam. The threat to Shah Rukh Khan follows a series of threats issued to actor Salman Khan. Bollywood actor Salman Khan has received a fresh threat, as reported by a police official on November 5. The threat, which was sent to the Mumbai traffic police helpline, has left authorities concerned for the actor's safety. According to the police, the message was read around midnight by an officer who was monitoring the helpline. In light of this new threat, the police have initiated an investigation to trace the origin of the message. They have also increased security measures around Salman Khan to ensure his safety. The police are looking into potential links between this threat and Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently incarcerated on a range of serious charges, including attempted murder and extortion. This incident is not isolated, as Salman Khan has faced threats in the past, primarily linked to the Bishnoi gang. The Bishnoi community has a longstanding feud with the actor, dating back to a 1998 incident involving the alleged poaching of endangered blackbucks during the filming of "Hum Saath-Saath Hain." This has made Salman Khan a target for threats from members of this community. The police are taking this situation seriously, and the increased security for Salman Khan is a precautionary measure amid the ongoing investigation. The actor's fanbase and the wider public are now on alert as they await further developments regarding this concerning situation. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, as threats against high-profile individuals like Salman Khan highlight the serious nature of gang-related violence in India. The police urge anyone with information about the threat to come forward and assist in the investigation, reinforcing their commitment to ensuring the safety of the actor and addressing the ongoing challenges posed by organised crime in the region. (With inputs from PTI)
07 November,2024 02:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan'Wake up Canada government' was the message at a Wednesday afternoon protest near the gate of the IndiaBulls International Centre on Senapati Bapat Marg, near Prabhadevi station. The protesting group led jointly by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal gathered at the site, which also saw significant police presence, to condemn the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Brothers, please While placards were held up, citing slogans and creating awareness, asking the Canadian government for action against attackers, Shriraj Nair, national spokesperson, VHP, said, “Let this be clear, the Sikhs and Hindus are one. We are brothers. We have nothing against the Sikhs. This is against fringe elements that are intent on pushing the Khalistan narrative, stoking divisions between the two communities.” “There are thousands of Hindus living and working in Canada in a peaceful way and contributing to society and the economy. If they are involved in crime, it is extremely negligible, or 0.0 per cent. We know that the Consulate General of Canada office is closed here and nobody is present, but this is a symbolic protest. Our Hindu brothers in Canada told us to do something here so that voices reach Canada,” Nair said. He added that they were not against the Canadian government, “yet we want all those involved in these attacks to be arrested.” False narrative Mohan Salekar, Prant secretary, VHP, said, “It is good that we heard some condemnation for the first time from Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. What were these Hindus doing? They were attacked while praying at the temple. That is why this protest was important.” At a Diwali meet ’n’ greet just two hours prior to the protest, Salekar stated, “The upcoming elections are not just the Maharashtra state Assembly elections but a compass that will show us which direction the country is heading. We want more people to come out and vote, especially the elite in their high rises.” He added, “During the general elections, there was organisation and logistics for the Bharat Jodo Yatra from certain foreign-funded NGOs. There was a false narrative spread that the Constitution was under threat. At that time, perhaps some sections were laid back in countering this false narrative, but lessons have been learnt and there are robust counters against attempts to spread lies and malicious, misleading claims.” No division The entire VHP top brass reiterated unity between Hindus and Sikhs and pointed out that the 1984 riots, which took place after PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination, also saw incendiary speeches by Congress leaders. Senior VHP functionary Dinesh T said, “There are no schisms between Hindus and Sikhs. They are our brothers, and the assassination was also highly politicised.” All the speakers pointed out that trouble is being fomented, and ‘we want Khalistan divisions’ are being given oxygen by those who believe in ‘tukde tukde Bharat’ and ‘todo Bharat’. The protest was well regulated, it saw curious onlookers asking about the issue. The gathering dispersed to shouts of ‘Jai Shree Ram’ rising above the blare of vehicle horns at the buzzing intersection.
07 November,2024 01:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharThe Mumbai district election officer has said all establishments, businesses and other workplaces within the Brihanmumbai limits are mandated to grant leave to their employees for voting in the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024 on November 20, reported news agency PTI. Violations to this directive by employers will result in action under the Election Commission's guidelines, district election officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said in a release issued on Wednesday. Aiming to enable all eligible voters in Mumbai Suburban and Mumbai City districts to exercise their voting rights, Gagrani has implemented various initiatives to boost the voter turnout, reported PTI. The release said employers must grant leave to their employees for voting on November 20 in their constituencies and the rule applies to all industrial sectors, corporations, companies and other establishments, ensuring that no wage deductions occur due to this leave, reported PTI. In cases where a full-day leave is not feasible due to exceptional circumstances, at least a four-hour leave may be granted with prior approval from the district election officer, it said. As per section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, employees whose absence would endanger the public or their establishment will not be penalised, reported PTI. Employers are directed to follow these guidelines strictly, ensuring all employees are able to exercise their voting rights on the election day, the release said. EC updates Maharashtra voter list Maharashtra has more than 9.7 crore voters of which 22,22,704 are in the age group of 18-19 years, an Election Commission (EC) official said on Tuesday, citing updated electoral rolls, ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024. As per the electoral rolls updated on October 30, the state has 9,70,25,119 voters, including 5,00,22,739 men and 4,49,96,279 women. The state has 6,101 transgender voters, 6.41 lakh divyang (persons with disabilities) and 1.16 lakh service electors, said Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Chockalingam. He said there are 22,22,704 voters in the age group of 18-19 years. According to figures provided by the poll body, there are 4,140 candidates in the fray for the total 288 assembly seats for which voting will take place on November 20. The Shahada seat in Nandurbar district has only three candidates -- the lowest -- while Nanded North has 33 contestants -- the highest. Chockalingam said in order to boost voter turnout, the poll body will set up 1,181 polling stations in high-rises and residential complexes in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. Similarly, 210 polling stations will be established in slums, the CEO said. There are enough EVMs in the state. For 1,00,186 polling stations, there are 2,21,600 ballot units, 1,21,886 control units and 1,32,094 VVPATs, he informed. The CEO said for the state's 288 assembly seats, there are 142 general observers, 41 police observers and 71 expenditure supervisors. Counting of votes will take place on November 23. (With inputs from PTI)
07 November,2024 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentControversial Shiv Sena leader from Kalyan in Thane district, Mahesh Gaikwad, and nine other members of the ruling outfit have been suspended for "anti-party" activities during the ongoing Maharashtra assembly election process, reported news agency PTI. Mahesh Gaikwad hit headlines in February this year when he was shot at by BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad inside a police station in Ulhasnagar town of Thane district over an old enmity. A statement issued on Wednesday by Shiv Sena's Kalyan district chief Gopal Landge said members of the outfit, including Mahesh Gaikwad, engaged in "anti-party" activities and did not abide by directives of the leadership in the current elections, reported PTI. The Shiv Sena and the BJP are part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance along with the NCP. In another development, the BJP has suspended for six years Kalyan mandal president Varun Patil, who is contesting as an independent candidate from the Kalyan West constituency in the November 20 state assembly polls. NCP expels leader for contesting against Chandrakant Patil The Nationalist Congress Party led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday expelled Vijay Dakle, a local party functionary, for anti-party activities. Dakle, head of the NCP's social cell, is contesting as an independent candidate from the Kothrud assembly constituency in the city against BJP leader Chandrakant Patil, the ruling Mahayuti coalition's official candidate and sitting MLA. He is also a member of the state NCP's executive committee. A letter issued by NCP city unit president Deepak Mankar said he was being expelled as despite repeated instructions to withdraw from the fray, he chose to contest against the alliance's candidate. (With inputs from PTI)
07 November,2024 12:41 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
As Maharashtra heads into the most evenly poised assembly elections in recent memory, voters are grappling with an issue that has come to dominate the political landscape of the state over the past few years – politicians switching parties and alliances. Several politicians have jumped ship based on who they felt had the edge in the general and state polls in 2014 and 2019. The chaos and confusion increased after Eknath Shinde in 2022 staged a rebellion and walked away with a large number of legislators from the Shiv Sena, then headed by Uddhav Thackeray, sending shockwaves to Maharashtra. His rebellion sparked a series of defections within Shiv Sena, leading to the splitting of the party into two factions – one led by Shinde and the other by Thackeray. He took oath as the Chief Minister and formed the government along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and also claimed the Shiv Sena’s symbol and name on the grounds that he had the maximum number of legislators with him. The Election Commission of India also decided that his faction was indeed the ‘real’ Shiv Sena. A year later, the story repeated, but this time, the party that split was the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 after he left the Congress, which was then headed by Sonia Gandhi. Pawar’s nephew Ajit, who had caused a stir in 2019 too when he briefly aligned with the BJP-led coalition, walked away with a large number of legislators and party workers. Unlike 2019, when he ended his rebellion in three days, this time, Ajit continued to fight the state polls in alliance with the BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena. There is a lot of criticism over these two developments in the state, which was one of the reasons why Thackeray and Pawar’s parties, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), did well in the Lok Sabha elections, held earlier this year. Now with the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 scheduled for November 20, this issue is likely to come to the fore. Ahead of the state polls too, several leaders have switched parties after they were denied tickets. Voters have repeatedly questioned how politicians can join parties or alliances that have diametrically opposite views to what they believed in for years. Party hopping: Impact on voter Voters are not thrilled about the frequent party-hopping witnessed in recent years. For many, it raises questions about loyalty, principles, and the integrity of politicians. "I have always voted for Shiv Sena, but seeing leaders such as Eknath Shinde and other rebels leave for personal gains makes me question their intentions," says Nilesh Patil, a 45-year-old resident of Mumbai's Ghatkopar area. "We feel betrayed when politicians switch sides. Do they care about ideology? It's all about power and position for them." Patil’s sentiments are shared by many who feel that these political manoeuvres undermine the trust of the electorate. “It’s disheartening. Shiv Sena has always been a party of the people, but now it seems like it’s just another political game," says Priya Deshmukh, a 38-year-old homemaker from Mankhurd. "Politicians don't care about us. They care only about what benefits them." However, Swapnil Tele, an IT professional from Kalyan, believes that Shinde’s faction is the real Shiv Sena. “The Shiv Sena and Congress had exactly opposite ideologies. How could Uddhav Thackeray ally with the Congress, a party that his father, the late Balasaheb Thackeray, opposed throughout his lifetime? When Shinde and the other legislators felt that the core ideologies of the party were being compromised, they went with their original ally: the BJP. We have traditionally been Shiv Sena voters and the CM has done good work. We’ll continue to back him,” said the 28-year-old. Sudha Shankar Deshpande, a 56-year-old Pune resident, said, “When you change sides so frequently, it shows you don't have a true commitment to the people or the cause you once stood for. While we despise politicians jumping ship, the fact is that there are other issues also that need to be taken into consideration before we cast our vote." Strategy or greed: Why has the state seen so many political diversions For political leaders, party-hopping is often seen as a strategic move. Some argue that shifting parties allows them to align with more powerful or dominant political forces, ensuring political survival and access to resources. It is also a reflection of the changing dynamics of Maharashtra’s political landscape. “The shifting allegiances of these leaders are often a result of the changing dynamics within the state’s political ecosystem. Leaders frequently move to parties they think will help them secure power,” says Anand Deshpande, a political analyst from Pune. Manish Ranjan, a political analyst from the national capital, says that Maharashtra’s political landscape is very different from the rest of the country and it is difficult to call the election outcome here. “Even after the BJP and Shiv Sena had allied in 2019 before the polls, Thackeray took a U-turn and demanded the chief ministership after the BJP failed to secure a majority on its own. While individual politicians leave parties for ticket or ministerial berths, alliances are also broken for the same reasons as Thackeray later became the CM with the help of the Congress and NCP. This is a very difficult election to predict. And after the predictions went wrong in the Lok Sabha and Haryana polls, no one can say with certainty on which alliance will the voter stand with. Party or ideology? Is the voter loyal? Despite the widespread dissatisfaction with party-switching, there remains a large base of voters who continue to follow their leaders. Voter loyalty, in many cases, transcends party affiliation and is tied to the personal popularity of individual politicians. “Voters in my constituency support Eknath Shinde because of his long-standing relationship with the people, especially in the Thane area. His popularity isn’t based on the party but his work on the ground,” says Santosh Patil, 63, a retired government employee. "Voters tend to follow their local leaders, not the party they belong to. This is why leaders who switch parties often manage to retain their support base." “I still support Shinde, even though he left Shiv Sena. He’s a local leader who understands our issues. The ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’ will help him come back to power,” says 42-year-old Shreekala Prabhakar, a resident of Malad. As Maharashtra moves closer to election day, the big question remains: Will all these defections impact the electoral outcome? Ranjan adds, “Voters will consider the ‘double engine’ factor where a National Democratic Alliance government in the Centre and a Mahayuti regime in the state would be beneficial for Maharashtra’s development. Voters are smart. Most voters believe that loyalties to parties and individuals mean nothing if they do not deliver. Especially for cities such as Mumbai and Pune, infrastructure development is of prime importance. Accessibility to funds from the Centre is crucial for such projects. I also do not believe that the NDA or Mahayuti failed to put up a good performance in the Lok Sabha polls owing to diversions. They just could not manage the narrative mechanisms that the Opposition had tactfully shaped. They also lacked on-ground campaigning, whereas MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) workers went to several villages across the state for the campaigns. If this time the Mahayuti works on these issues, it will be too tight an election to call.”
07 November,2024 12:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Divya NairShiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday unveiled party's manifesto for the Maharashtra elections 2024, assuring free education for male students, stabilising prices of essential items and scrapping of the Dharavi redevelopment project, reported news agency PTI. Thackeray said most of the poll promises are part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) overall assurances, but there are some points that need special attention. The MVA, which comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP), will also launch its manifesto for the Maharashtra elections 2024, he said, reported PTI. Thackeray assured that the way female students in the state were getting free education under a government policy, it will be implemented for male students as well if the MVA comes to power, reported PTI. The MVA will also keep stable the prices of essential commodities, he said. On the Dharavi redevelopment project, the former chief minister said it will be scrapped as the project will have ramifications on Mumbai, reported PTI. Maharashtra and Mumbai will also have a housing policy keeping the rapid urbanisation in mind, he said. Thackeray said if the MVA comes to power, it will scrap cluster development of Koliwadas and Gaothans and it will be done after taking the residents into confidence. The Sena (UBT) head also said his party will work towards creating jobs. Ajit Pawar's NCP releases manifesto; promises to raise Ladki Bahin scheme aid to Rs 2,100 The NCP led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday unveiled its manifesto for the state assembly polls, promising to raise the amount of Ladki Bahin scheme's monthly financial assistance to Rs 2,100 from the present Rs 1,500. For farmers, the party promised to raise the Shetkari Sanman Nidhi scheme amount from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 per year. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is contesting the November 20 assembly elections as part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which also comprises the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The NCP, which is fighting the elections from 52 constituencies, also unveiled constituency-specific manifestos for all the assembly seats it is contesting. The manifesto was unveiled separately by party president Ajit Pawar in Baramati, by its state unit president Sunil Tatkare in Mumbai, and working president Praful Patel in Gondia. NCP candidates and local leaders also released the poll manifestos in their respective constituencies. (With inputs from PTI)
07 November,2024 11:30 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
