The BEST services in the city may get affected with many buses being used for election duty ahead of the November 20 polls, however, for the convenience of the daily commuters, the railways and Metro will be running additional services. While the Central Railway (CR) will be running nightlong local trains, special Metro services will be running on Lines 1, 3, 7, and 2A on all lines on polling days. According to the officials, the CR will run special night trains on November 19, 20, and 21 to facilitate the movement of election personnel and the public. Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) also said that it will extend services for polling days. Officials said that the MMRC will operate trains early morning until midnight to ensure smooth travel for election staff and voters. Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro Line 3 CorridorThe first Metro will depart at 4 am on Wednesday and the last Metro at 1 am on Thursday, from both BKC and Aarey JVLR stations. An additional 20 trips have been added to ease travel during the extended hours. Red Line 7 and Yellow Line 2AThe Maha Mumbai Metro Operations Corporation Ltd. (MMMOCL) has also announced extended Metro services. On this line, the first Metro will depart at 4 am from Gundavali, Dahisar East, and Andheri West stations, while the last Metro will leave at 1 am on Thursday. A total of 19 additional trips have been planned, increasing the total daily trips from 243 to 262 trips, officials said. “These extended services reflect our dedication to ensuring every citizen has the opportunity to vote conveniently,” said MMMOCL Managing Director Rubal Agarwal. Blue Line 1 Versova-GhatkoparOn the Mumbai Metro One, the first Metro from Versova and Ghatkopar will start at 4 am on Wednesday, while the last service from both stations will run until 1 am, Thursday. “This extension aligns with Mumbai Metro One’s commitment to assist the BMC in facilitating the early morning as well as late-night travel needs of polling station officers and employees in both Mumbai city and suburban districts...,” an official said. Western RailwayWR will run two special local services on November 20, 2024 at 3am from Churchgate and at 3 am from Virar simultaneosly. BESTBEST spokesperson said for Election Duty, the demand from the election authoritiy through Regional Transport Office (RTO) was for more than 1,250 buses. However, considering the regular operation BEST will be providing 657 buses. In addition, social welfare dept has requisitioned 35 wheel chair accessible EV buses ( with automatic ramp) specially for divyang and senior citizens on polling day. Special Trains on Tuesday and Wednesday Main Line (Down):CSMT-Kalyan Special: Departs CSMT at 3 am, arrives Kalyan at 4.30 am Main Line (Up):Kalyan-CSMT Special: Departs Kalyan at 3 am, arrives CSMT at 4.30 am Harbour Line (Down):CSMT-Panvel Special: Departs CSMT at 3 am, arrives Panvel at 4.20 am Harbour Line (Up):Panvel-CSMT Special 2: Departs Panvel at 3 am, arrives CSMT at 4.20 am Special Trains on Wednesday and Thursday Main Line (Down):CSMT-Kalyan Special: Departs CSMT at 1.10 am, arrives Kalyan at 2.40 amCSMT-Kalyan Special: Departs CSMT at 2.30 am, arrives Kalyan at 4 am Main Line (Up):Kalyan-CSMT Special: Departs Kalyan at 1 am, arrives CSMT at 2.30 amKalyan-CSMT Special: Departs Kalyan at 2 am, arrives CSMT at 3.30 am Harbour Line (Down):CSMT-Panvel Special: Departs CSMT at 1.40 am, arrives Panvel at 3.00 amCSMT-Panvel Special: Departs CSMT at 2.50 am, arrives Panvel at 4.10 am Harbour Line (Up):CSMT-Panvel Special: Departs Panvel at 1.00 am, arrives CSMT at 2.20 am CSMT-Panvel Special: Departs Panvel at 2.30 am, arrives CSMT at 3.50 am Metro 7 and 2A services: *Special Extended Hours*Early morning services- 4.00 am – 5.22 am Late-night services- 11.00 pm – 1:00 amHeadway: 20 minutes during these extended hours.
20 November,2024 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF), a left-leaning students’ collective at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has issued a strong call “to protect the academic integrity and secular values” of the institution following the release of what they term as the controversial interim study titled “Illegal Immigrants to Mumbai: Analysing Socio-economic and Political Consequences,”. The study was conducted by two TISS-Mumbai faculty members and has been facing backlash from students for allegedly promoting political interests associated with the “Sangh Parivar”. PSF members have said that the study, which they believe lacks academic rigour and transparency, is being leveraged to support divisive rhetoric and undermine the secular principles that TISS has historically upheld. According to PSF, the study represents a departure from TISS’s longstanding tradition of rigorous, independent social science research. “Released with only 10% of its proposed 3,000-participant sample, the interim findings have been widely circulated across social media platforms and are allegedly being leveraged in WhatsApp groups to promote communal agendas ahead of the Maharashtra State Assembly elections,” a statement by PSF read. “Recent presentations of the study at TISS Mumbai on November 5 and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi on November 11 have intensified these concerns, with some viewing it as a calculated move that contradicts TISS’s secular and democratic ethos,” PSF stated. PSF representatives highlighted that an article about the study was also featured in a publication affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “Sharing this article on TISS’s official social media accounts sets a dangerous precedent of endorsing divisive content under the guise of academic research. . The endorsement of such research by official channels only serves to divide communities on religious and linguistic lines, threatening the very foundation of our institution,” a PSF spokesperson said. The group has called upon students, teachers, and staff, to resist any attempts to undermine the secular, democratic mission of the institution. They also demand that the interim study be publicly disassociated from TISS and that accountability rests solely with the individual authors. Senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya highlighted the report in a November 9 press conference, followed by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who amplified the “vote jihad” rhetoric in a November 10 speech in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. This shift redirected the Mahayuti’s campaign from welfare schemes like “Ladki Bahin” to a Hindutva-centered appeal. The term “vote jihad” has previously stirred debate. In October, Fadnavis suggested that the BJP’s setbacks in certain Lok Sabha constituencies were due to this alleged trend. “In 14 out of 48 constituencies, vote jihad was a factor. Hindutva needs to awaken if anti-Hindu leaders are being elected to top positions,” said Fadnavis. Opposition leaders swiftly condemned the statements, criticising them as divisive and contrary to electoral norms. Professor Shankar Das, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Academic Affairs at Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Principal Investigator of the study, said, “Our task is to conduct research, study, and develop our understanding. The data was directly collected from the field; it was not created by us, it is not fabricated. Our studies are entirely apolitical, purely academic, and scientific. We have no affiliations with outside agendas or political interests of any individual or parties, and what others say in this regard is of no concern to us.” BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said, “Has the institute itself raised any objections to this report or distanced itself from it? This report is based on scientifically collected data. I don’t give importance to entities like the student forum, but I do rely on the credibility of the institute.”
20 November,2024 07:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghAhead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Mumbai police have implemented extensive security measures and cancelled all leaves for police personnel. Officers have been deployed across every corner of the city, with more than 30,000 police personnel and officers set to be on the streets on Wednesday to ensure a peaceful voting process for Mumbaikars. More than 25,000 constables will be deployed in the city “All adequate measures have been taken to ensure that voting is conducted peacefully and that no law and order situation arises,” said DCP Akbar Pathan, nodal officer for election, Mumbai police. According to the Mumbai Police, on voting day, five additional commissioners of police, 20 deputy commissioners of police, 83 assistant commissioners of police, over 2,000 officers, and more than 25,000 constables will be deployed for election duties. This includes three units of the Riot Control Police (RCP). Additionally, 144 officers and over 1,000 personnel have been assigned to manage traffic, supported by 4,000 home guards. To address any potential law and order issues in critical areas, 26 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and State Armed Police Forces (SAP) will also be deployed. During the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the Mumbai police have taken preventive action against 4,492 individuals, including the externment of several individuals with criminal records until the elections are over. Since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct on October 15, the police have seized cash, precious metals, liquor, narcotics, and other items worth approximately Rs 175 crore.
20 November,2024 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanAccording to the Election Commission of India, Maharashtra has 9.70 crore voters, including 22.2 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19. mid-day spoke to these young voices in the city who represent the future. From infrastructure upgrades to job creation, these youth have bold expectations and a clear vision for change. ‘Need better road infra’ Precia a 23-year-old voter hopes for a government that actually cares for the people. “Better management and connectivity of transport systems such as trains and buses are crucial issues. Roads need to be managed well instead of just being dug up and then left as it is,” she said. Yeshaya Varghese, a 21-year-old student said, “Projects need better coordination to avoid overlaps and delays. Stricter enforcement of regulations for road and building construction is needed.” Sanaya (name changed), 23, another voter, said, “Mumbai deserves to have better road infrastructure. Every monsoon, the condition of roads becomes terrible, causing traffic snarls and accidents. With the completion of metro projects, the government should put more effort into last-mile connectivity by increasing the number of BEST buses. Rush hour in trains is a problem that has not been resolved by anyone, and lakhs of citizens suffer because of it daily. Roads that got fixed last week get dug up the following week for water pipeline work, electricity work, etc. This needs to stop.” Young voters have also called for a stable government in the state to see better development “The party that gets elected should not be split due to internal conflicts. Citizens should not be inconvenienced because of internal power struggles within the party,” added Sanaya. Increase job opportunities Better education policies and employment opportunities also emerged as a key demand among the youth. “We need better job prospects for recent graduates and postgraduates who have degrees and still struggle to find decent-paying jobs. We also need a better education policy that doesn’t overwork teachers while keeping the compensation low,” said Precia. “Educational institutions in Mumbai are suffering from a shortage of professors and issues in exam result declaration and funding. Graduates are expecting more job fairs and better employment opportunities,” said Political analyst Ritwik Mehta. According to Mehta, the youth are looking for active participation in politics and inclusion of youngsters in the fields of public policy and administration. “In Tier-2 and 3 cities of Maharashtra, the youth demand better educational opportunities so they don’t have to travel to cities like Mumbai and Pune to pursue the courses of their choice,” he added. Why youth voice matters Shruti Shah, a Mumbai-based psychologist and founder of Holistic Mind Therapy, said, “For Gen Z in Mumbai, the socio-political climate is a key factor in how they perceive stability, opportunities, and fairness in society.” “When policies focus on education, job creation, affordable housing, or safety, they positively impact the mental health of young students. On the other hand, policies that seem disconnected from the challenges young people face—such as rising inflation, lack of green spaces, or insufficient mental health infrastructure—can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, and a feeling of being unheard,” she added.
20 November,2024 07:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Raaina JainIn a bid to crack down on the abandoning of vehicles in public places, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to appoint a contractor who will get rid of such automobiles and two-wheelers 48 hours after sticking notices on them or informing their owners electronically. According to officials, getting rid of abandoned vehicles is challenging as several legal processes must be followed. “We have decided to appoint a contractor who will remove abandoned vehicles from public places, store them and follow legal processes such as contacting the police and Regional Transport Authority to see if a case has been filed against their owners and issuing notices to owners,” an official said. Broken-down autorickshaws line the stretch below a flyover in Kurla “An abandoned vehicle occupies approximately 124 square feet in a scrapyard, which is a lot of space. Hence, we have decided this responsibility will be given to a contractor,” the official added. According to authorities, abandoned vehicles will be removed 48 hours after their owners are informed. “They will be disposed of 30 days after that. The contractor needs to forward a list of abandoned vehicles to the RTO concerned, the local police station and the anti-car theft cell on the Yellow Gate police station premises. Also, the contractor needs to publish a notice in the newspaper and inform the RTO concerned to de-register the vehicle,” said the official. According to BMC records, the civic body auctioned 5,958 abandoned vehicles in 2023, collecting R4.70 crore. “As per the rules, the BMC must remove a vehicle 48 hours after issuing a notice, but sometimes this doesn’t happen when our machinery is utilised in other work. Now, the contractor will remove abandoned vehicles immediately, clearing the streets,” said the official. According to the tender document, the contractor must submit an affidavit mentioning that the vehicles will not be re-used on the road. “This contractor will also remove metal and unauthorised construction scrap excluding debris," the official said. The last date for submission of bids is November 25. Rs 4.70 CroreAmount raised by BMC after auctioning 5,958 abandoned vehicles in 2023 48 HoursAmount of time owners have to remove vehicles after being notified
20 November,2024 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveMaharashtra is set to vote in the state assembly elections 2024, on Wednesday across all 288 constituencies in a single phase. The polling starts at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm. The results of Maharashtra Elections 2024 will be declared on November 23. The security has been tightened in the state to ensure a smooth and secure polling process, ANI reported. This election marks a significant moment in Maharashtra's political landscape following the split in Shiv Sena and NCP. Competition has increased, with the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) locking horns across various constituencies. Key leaders in the fray include Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde from Kopri-Pachpakhadi, who is facing Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe. Deputy CM Devandra Fadnavis is contesting from his stronghold, Nagpur South West, against Prafulla Gudadhe from the Congress. Meanwhile, NCP leader and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar hopes to retain Baramati, a stronghold of the Pawar family, against his nephew Yugendra Pawar of Sharad Pawar-led NCP. In Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena is hoping to be reelected from Worli in a Sena vs Sena contest against Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's Milind Deora. Similarly, AMit Thackeray of MNS faces a triangular battle in Mahim against Sada Sarvankar of Shiv Sena and Mahesh Sawant of Shive Sena (UBT), ANI reported. Voter turnout in the state remains a critical focus, with both Election Commission (ECI) and local initiatives who are encouraging the locals to exercise their right. (With inputs from ANI)
20 November,2024 07:31 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFully cooked Weary cooks and catering staff, along with their equipment, take a break while travelling on the Western Express Highway near the Dahisar toll plaza Suneeta Rao’s new moves A moment from Rao’s arangetram. PIC COURTESY/ADARBAD MASTER Childhood dreams do not have deadlines. For singer Suneeta Rao (right), the dance form of Bharatanatyam was one such dream. “I started learning at the age of eight years old under my guru, Karunaambal Govindarajan Pillai,” she shared. But before she could make her ‘arangetram’ (solo debut on stage), she fell ill. “Moving to Bandra, and turning to musical theatre made it difficult. But the ache for Bharatanatyam never left me,” the 57 year-old revealed. To keep up with her guru’s tradition, she began learning from Nandhini Ashok in 2020, and made her arangetram on October 17 in Dadar. “It was a challenge and required discipline and mental focus. The arangetram, they say, is a beginning. I would love to take this further,” she concluded. Melodies and memories De Melo performing on The Voice Reuben de Melo, the Australian musician and winner of The Voice Australia 2024, landed in Mumbai for a brief visit yesterday and performance before heading to his birthplace, Goa where he will be performing. “I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my roots in Goa and indulging in great food,” he shared. De Melo fondly recalled childhood memories of listening to Goan legend Lorna Cordeiro’s songs. “I would play her audio cassettes on my grandma’s player [music system]. It would be an honour to meet the Nightingale of Goa!” Reflecting on Mumbai, he said “Though a lot has changed, the kindness of the city folk remains constant.” Doing it the write way A moment from the club’s concluding session City-based book club Paperback Talks has already locked in its New Year’s resolutions for 2025. At this year’s concluding session in Bandra last Sunday, participants found themselves ditching the books to write letters to themselves and framing fresh goals. “We asked people what they’d like to leave behind in 2024. The most common answers were overthinking, binge eating and setting unrealistic expectations. I’m glad people are walking into the new year with better awareness of their mental health,” shared founder Rahul Saini (left). An Asian affair Korean barbeque The newest eatery to set up shop in Bandra is a cross between retro Japanese and Korean flavours. Opening today, Mirai offers traditional dishes from both cultures and boasts of a Japanese seating arrangement. Rinchen Angchuk and Saamir Chandnani “We want to create a space where love for authenticity and fusion can co-exist and be appreciated. Along with 12 exclusive Japanese and Korean-inspired cocktails, we also have a private karaoke section that offers drinks and good food,” shared co-founders Saamir Chandnani and Rinchen Angchuk. Wave warriors Kumbhar after the swim Last Sunday, Mumbai Sea Swimmers hosted the MSS ULTRA swim, where 28 participants covered 15 km of open sea swimming in six hours. Starting from the Gateway of India, and ending at the Atal Setu, the event also featured para swimmers Pradeep Kumbhar and Geeta Katkar. Katkar (inset), who has 55 per cent polio in her leg, told us, “Although it was my first duo relay swim, the poor water quality affected it.” Kumbhar, an open sea swimmer and amputee, said, “The event was a great experience.”
20 November,2024 07:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayLegendary wildlife conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, renowned for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees, praised Mumbai’s human-leopard coexistence model during a visit to the city. She also highlighted the pivotal role of young people in environmental protection. Addressing state forest department officials and young conservationists at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Dr Goodall, 90, emphasised, “Young people have the power to create positive change. The youth are the future, and they must unite to lead efforts in environmental and wildlife conservation.” Dr Goodall commended Mumbai’s unique human-leopard coexistence, stating, “Mumbai is a prime example that shows the world how humans and wildlife can live in harmony. We must recognise that wildlife and humans are inseparable, and the only way forward is peaceful coexistence.” The 90-year-old conservationist is visiting India for the first time as part of her Hope Global Tour. Since November 16, she has been in Mumbai, promoting Roots & Shoots, a global initiative by the Jane Goodall Institute India. The programme unites young people from diverse backgrounds with the shared mission of improving the environment. Speaking about Mumbai’s rich biodiversity, Dr Goodall stressed, “Protecting our green spaces is crucial in the face of climate change. We must unite and adopt measures to mitigate this pressing issue.” Wildlife conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, who is on her Hope Global Tour, at Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivli. Pic/Nimesh Dave The event at SGNP was attended by Dr V Clement Ben, additional principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife, west; G Mallikarjun, director and chief conservator of forests at SGNP; and wildlife conservationists. Dr Goodall interacted with forest officials and on-ground staff to gain a deeper understanding of man-animal coexistence in Mumbai, where wildlife and urban life exist in a delicate yet remarkable balance. Forest staff shared their experiences and insights, underscoring the challenges and successes of managing this unique ecosystem. Through these interactions, Dr Goodall reaffirmed her commitment to sustainable conservation practices that support both human and wildlife communities.
20 November,2024 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavToday’s Assembly elections will be a defining moment for Maharashtra, its major political parties and their respective leaders who have altered the state politics in an unprecedented manner in the past five years. Having an element of unpredictability, thanks to many players who have put aside their respective ideologies to form alliances, the campaign for 288 seats saw a fierce battle to grab power by way of portraying each other as villains. Apart from drawing the voters’ attention with “like never before” promises of cash handouts and freebies, religion and caste identity overshadowed the agenda of economic progress and sectoral development. (From left) Congress state president Nana Patole, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan during a press conference last month. File Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi Parties began from where they left off in the Lok Sabha elections, which tipped the majority in Maha Vikas Aghadi’s favour, with Congress on top. Jostling and shoving dominated the Assembly seat-sharing exercise in both the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the BJP-led Mahayuti camps. Judging by the number of seats they are contesting, it seems that the two national parties—Congress and BJP, the principal rivals in the electoral field—are vying for the top spot. It is believed that both Congress and BJP aim to outperform their respective alliance partners, hoping to steer state politics into a bipolar mode, reducing regional allies to minor players. (From left) DyCM Devendra Fadnavis, CM Eknath Shinde, and DyCM Ajit Pawar during a press conference last month. File Pic/Shadab Khan In the Lok Sabha, Congress achieved a quantum leap, with Maharashtra giving it the highest number of MPs in the country. This boosted the morale of the party’s state leadership, which had been ridiculed for winning only two MPs in 2014 and just one in 2019. Congress’s regained self-esteem and newfound confidence have, however, caused some friction within the MVA, particularly with Shiv Sena (UBT). Making up For BJP, the Lok Sabha verdict meant a shocking drop in a state that had powered the Modi government twice in succession. The party and its ideological parent, the RSS, swung into action immediately after the debacle. Recently, the BJP’s leadership claimed to have negated the “Save Constitution” narrative the MVA had benefited from in the Lok Sabha. Being the state’s single-largest party with a haul of over 100 MLAs each in the past two elections, the BJP has planned to win more than its allies and rivals. Its seat share is much bigger than the allies and opponents. For Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, the field is not that wide. Yet, Shinde relies heavily on “dole out” to win as many seats as he has been given. Ajit Pawar’s NCP has been restricted to even smaller numbers. He has pinned high hopes on a private election management agency he had hired after the Lok Sabha elections. MVA has kept up with the Lok Sabha campaign but tweaked it by adding the guarantees to counter the euphoria Mahayuti’s ‘Ladki Bahin’ had created. People have heard arguments over ‘failed’ and ‘successful’ guarantees that were given by the BJP-Mahayuti and Congress-led state governments where similar schemes were announced ahead of polls. Contests within In MVA, Congress has a competition with Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP and Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena that also rallies against a breakaway Sena (Shinde). Ajit Pawar’s NCP seemed to have set a minimal target for itself, barring a prestigious duel between the DyCM and his nephew Yugendra in the Pawars’ native Baramati. Not just the Baramati family feud, these elections have seen other families break up too. Brother and sister, brother and brother, husband and wife, father and daughter, uncles and nephews are up against each other. In some places, it looked like an attempt to keep the seat in the family, party affiliation notwithstanding, because it matters most in power politics and allied activities. Four members of the senior minister’s family, including his former MP daughter, are contesting from four different segments in Nandurbar district. Three brothers represent different parties. The daughter is contesting as an independent. Warring cousins On the party front, two estranged cousins will again be testing themselves against each other. Raj Thackeray’s MNS has been more aggressive than before while putting up a solo fight. MNS is considered a vote cutter that has helped Uddhav Thackeray’s rival parties. As it happened in the past elections, more so in 2009 when Raj was at his peak, MNS is expected to dent MVA more rather than Mahayuti, in which it has a friend in BJP. Raj has strongly criticised CM Eknath Shinde calling him out for stealing the Sena symbol and party which he said was late Balasaheb Thackeray’s property. Here, the estranged cousins appeared on the same page. In addition to MNS, AIMIM, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, a third front of smaller parties Parivartan Mahashakti and other small outfits complete the voter cutters’ order. Fate of leaders The Assembly poll will determine the importance and define the roles of the leading characters of the major parties. It will be a turning point for BJP’s two-time CM, Devendra Fadnavis, who has worked as deputy CM since June 2022. If BJP-Mahayuti wins and makes a government, the high command will have to consider a popular choice Fadnavis, among others, if any, for the CM’s post. If he is not chosen for the top job, the party will have to rehabilitate him in a respectful high position, either in the Union government or in the party national organisation. Shinde’s fate will hang in the balance, in Mahayuti’s win or defeat. Actually, he is fighting two battles at the same time. One within the alliance and the other against Uddhav Thackeray for acquiring a brand of ‘original Sena’ in the people’s court. Ajit Pawar’s NCP is at the mercy of the voters who will prefer him over his uncle. The verdict will measure his hold against the uncle’s and show him which way to go — to stay firm with the BJP, keep his independent existence intact, or return home if the senior hasn’t burnt the bridge yet. In Congress, winning more seats than allies will mean internal chaos. With half a dozen claimants for the CM’s post, the high command will have a tough task at hand. What applies to Shinde also goes for Uddhav Thackeray as far as the battle for ‘original Sena’ in the voters’ court is concerned. For fulfilling his aspirations to head the state again, Thackeray’s numbers and his tacit understanding with the Congress, with which he appeared to be on the same page on many issues, will matter most. But in case, Sharad Pawar is in a commanding position, we will see a different ball game. The Pawar camp has concentrated more on taking the battle into the rivals’ citadel, especially where the BJP had emerged in the past decade. Its silence over infighting in the MVA was meaningful. Others too important All said and done, the rebels, independents and small parties in the contest are set to influence the results and the post-election cut-throat machinations. It was in the 1995 elections that this category of vote cutters and 45 independent winners had a major say in the making of the government. Also, why forget what had happened in 2019? When the undivided Shiv Sena pushed its pre-poll partner BJP away despite winning together a decisive mandate, the BJP had made a government with the undivided NCP’s Ajit Pawar, who returned within three days. Later, Sena joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form an MVA government headed by Uddhav Thackeray. Two and a half years later, Shinde broke the Sena to become a CM with BJP’s support, and a year after, Ajit Pawar split NCP to be part of Mahayuti. No wonder, the 2024 Assembly elections hold too many foreseen and unforeseen things in its belly. 36No of Assembly seats in Mumbai
20 November,2024 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreA group of 250 Mumbaikars, who had left the city to attend weddings in their respective villages in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, will be travelling approximately 680 km for 18 to 20 hours in four buses to cast their votes in Mumbai. After exercising their franchise, they plan to return to the festivities in the neighbouring state. The group said voting was a top priority and they were committed to helping usher in development and a better future for all. The travellers originally hail from the villages of Saripada, Palanpur, Mesar, Katra, Dalwada, Gadh, Madana, Sasa and Salse in Banaskantha district but live in Malad, Borivli, Goregaon, Kandivli and Ghatkopar. The buses were organised by their community in a bid to highlight their clan’s commitment to voting. The vehicles will ferry the voters back to their villages on the evening of November 20. Group members said they are looking to set an example for those who skip voting, citing the length of trips to booths and parking issues. Dinesh Ramjibhai Patel, a Goregaon resident whose origins lie in Gadh, said, “I had been in my village for the past 10 days attending relatives’ wedding celebrations. Although many wedding bashes are still pending, voting is equally important. We left around 2 pm on November 19 and will reach Mumbai early on Wednesday. After voting, we will return to the village in the same bus to attend the remaining functions.” The Mumbai residents had gone to Gujarat’s Banaskantha district to attend their relatives’ weddings Manish Patel, another Goregaon resident, who hails from Mesar, added, “We vote every year, but this time, many relatives’ weddings were scheduled for after Diwali. Some members of our community from Goregaon and Malad arranged these buses for us. We are on our way to Mumbai to cast our votes because we want development and a good government. It is our responsibility to vote.” Kamraj S Patel, a resident of Siddharth Nagar in Goregaon who hails from Mesar, stated, “We want to set an example for those who make excuses to avoid voting. We are concerned about the betterment of Maharashtra. After voting, we will return [to Mesar] via the same bus.” Affluent members pitched in According to the group, just a week ago, the villagers discussed their concerns about not being around for the poll, which prompted affluent members of the community to pitch in by organising transportation for them. Some travellers even contributed voluntarily to make the trip to Mumbai a possibility. Harshad Patel, a Goregaon resident who hails from Madana, said, “After Diwali, we stayed in our village to attend wedding functions. However, we don’t want to waste our votes. We are responsible citizens, after all. We want a government that will improve roads and infrastructure and bring about overall development.” 2 KMPolling principle says no citizen should have to travel more than two kilometres to cast their vote 10,117Total no. of polling booths in Mumbai for 1.02 crore registered voters 76No. of ‘critical booths’, which have historically registered an average turnout of less than 10% 18 to 20 hrsTime it takes to travel from Banaskantha district to Mumbai
20 November,2024 07:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for November 20. Aries March 21 – April 20Focus is important when strapped for time. Sustaining resources is easier if you remain independent in thoughts and actions. Cosmic tip: Do your best in the given circumstances instead of expecting perfect circumstances. Taurus April 21 – May 20A relationship was at breaking point; happily, there’s a re-union before it reached a place of no return. Cosmic tip: Deal with responsibilities, but don’t take on those which can be handled by others. GeminiMay 21 – June 21The Universe sets a fast pace. Be prepared for hectic schedules. Health is good. Consulting a trusted relative for unbiased relationship advice brings clarity.Cosmic tip: Keep on trying (if at first you don’t succeed). Cancer June 22 – July 23Work pace is frenetic, but very satisfying. This uncomfortable feeling subsides by distancing yourself from energy vampires/ those feeling covert jealousy.Cosmic tip: Do what is right (especially if you would rather not). Leo July 24 - Aug 23Today is anything but boring as karma leads you to what is meant to be. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Enjoy being on the go the entire day through (lots of work gets completed). Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Choose friends carefully, avoiding people who flatter for gain. Living life, facing circumstances without shirking responsibility has brought a new kind of maturity.Cosmic tip: Consciously live in the present moment, enjoying this peaceful time. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22An introspective mind-set makes it easier to face the past and accept the future with a confident attitude. Cosmic tip: Make sure your spiritual path does not interfere with family responsibilities and career. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22This is a karmic cycle of dreams manifesting gradually. Backing off from a relationship may bring temporary aloneness: then peace of mind.Cosmic tip: Let go of a stagnant situation as this hampers spiritual growth. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Keep personal issues away from the workplace. The desire to study further is an insistent thought. Go ahead. Do consult a doctor about recurring low-grade fever.Cosmic tip: Treat mistakes as learning lessons. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Maintaining a professional attitude with team members makes it easier to point out their mistakes, if any. A shopping spree is such fun.Cosmic tip: Enjoy this karmic cycle of socializing and meeting friends. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Be careful while driving/ using public transportation. Those seeking employment receive an interview call. Cosmic tip: Keep ego in check even if there is a feeling of unfairness and not being able to explain. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Enjoy this time of recognition. Those planning their marriage must keep budgets and other important details in mind while doing so. Cosmic tip: Make a wish, watching it manifest in the most awesome manner.
20 November,2024 12:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseADVERTISEMENT
