The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is on course to retain power in Maharashtra. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) appeared stumbling, with its candidates leading in just 50 seats, a far cry from the boasts by many of its leaders that the combine will trounce the Mahayuti. The Mahayuti was leading in 222 seats and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was leading in 53 seats. According to the Election Commission's website at 3:30 pm today, the following is the party position in the outgoing vote counting: BJP 129, Shiv Sena 56, NCP 39, Congress 20, Shiv Sena (UBT) 19, NCP (SP) 12. As the state awaits, a key question looms large: Will the state assembly have a Leader of the Opposition (LoP)? According to constitutional provisions, the post of LoP is granted to the largest opposition party that secures at least 10 per cent of the total seats in the 288-member assembly, which translates to 29 seats. The said directions were issued by the first speaker of Lok Sabha G.V. Mavalankar and has been famously known as Mavalankar’s rule. Why the LoP post matters The Leader of the Opposition plays a critical role in maintaining checks and balances in a democracy. As the official voice of dissent, the LoP scrutinises government policies, provides alternative viewpoints, and represents the opposition’s stance on key issues. The absence of a LoP can tilt the balance of power heavily in favour of the ruling coalition, weakening the democratic fabric of the assembly. The road ahead To reclaim relevance, opposition parties must introspect and regroup. They need to address internal divisions, form stronger alliances, and present a unified front to voters. Without this effort, Maharashtra’s assembly may operate without an official LoP, depriving its democracy of a critical pillar. As the state inches closer to the elections, the numbers game will ultimately decide the fate of the opposition. If no party secures the requisite 29 seats, Maharashtra will join the growing list of assemblies across India where the LoP post remains vacant—an alarming trend for Indian democracy.
23 November,2024 04:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Election Commission (EC) has completed all the rounds of counting in some of the constituencies in Maharashtra. Here are the full list of winners declared by the EC so far: Aslam Shaikh (Congress) - Malad West Speaker Rahul Narwekar (BJP) - Colaba Parag Shah (BJP) - Ghatkopar (East) Vilas Tare (Shiv Sena) - Boisar Sulbha Gaikwad (BJP)- Kalyan East Parag Alavani (BJP) - Vile Parle Kalidas Kolambkar (BJP) - Wadala Sneha Dubey Pandit (BJP) - Vasai Haroon Khan (Shiv Sena UBT) - Versova Randhir Sawarkar (BJP) - Akola East Sulbha Khodke (NCP) - Amravati Amin Patel (Congress) - Mumbadevi Murji Patel (Shiv Sena)- Andheri East Pravin Tayade (BJP) - Achalpur Mahendra Dalvi (Shiv Sena) - Alibag Manisha Chaudhari (BJP) - Dahisar Sanjay Upadhyay (BJP) - Borivali Ashish Shelar (BJP) - Bandra West Varun Sardesai (Shiv Sena UBT) - Bandra East
23 November,2024 04:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Ladki Bahin Yojana was the game changer in the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024, Ajit Pawar said on Saturday after the Mahayuti alliance was seen getting majority in the poll results. The Mahayuti alliance comprises of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). "This is landslide victory for Mahayuti in Maharashtra, this is historic. I want to thank all the voters in Maharashtra," Ajit PAwar said, adding that the MVA alleged that our schemes were freebies and were putting a burden on the state, yet the MVA’s own manifesto included the same promises. 🕓 3.47pm | 23-11-2024📍 Mumbai.LIVE | #MahaYuti Press Conference 🚩@BJP4Maharashtra#Maharashtra #ElectionResults #MahaYuti https://t.co/hDOlrOXWYv — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 23, 2024 Ajit Pawar further said, "Now they are blaming the EVMs. My question is, why did they accept the results of the Lok Sabha elections? They should be calling for all elections to be conducted through postal ballots." He added that the people have given us a big mandate, and the responsibility is now immense. It is our duty to deliver. The Mahayuti leaders including Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde on Saturday held a joint press conference after the vote counting showed the alliance winning the Maharashtra Assembly election results 2024 with huge margin. Maharashtra Election 2024 results Live: Devendra Fadnavis said, “I am at a loss for words for the kind of mandate the people have given us and the faith they have shown in us and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a huge responsibility, and we are committed to fulfilling all the promises." He added, "People from all communities have voted for us. The slogan ‘Ek Hai to Safe Hai’ by the Prime Minister was meant to unite everyone, and Maharashtra has voted in support of that." Addressing the press conference, Eknath Shinde said, “Many elections have been held in Maharashtra, but this one is historic. People from all sectors, castes, and communities have voted for us. Our Ladki Bahin Yojana has worked, and the kind of work we have done has been people-centric. The results are reflecting the same.” He said, "We have completed a lot of infrastructure work, such as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai Metro Projects, and coastal roads, among others."
23 November,2024 04:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanFormer cricketer and politician Navjot Singh Sidhu recently claimed that a special diet helped his wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, beat stage 4 cancer. However, experts, including those from Tata Memorial Hospital, have dismissed these claims as misleading and unscientific. At a press conference, Sidhu shared his wife’s journey, explaining that she followed a strict diet that included lemon water, raw turmeric, apple cider vinegar, neem leaves, tulsi, and a mix of citrus fruits, vegetable juices, and nuts. He said she cut out sugar and carbs, which he believes "starved the cancer." He attributed her recovery, despite being given only a 3 per cent chance of survival, to these dietary changes. Reacting to the viral video of Sidhu’s statement, Tata Memorial Hospital released a detailed clarification, urging people not to believe such unproven remedies. Their statement said, “Parts of the video imply that avoiding dairy and sugar, and consuming turmeric and neem, cured her cancer. These statements have no high-quality evidence to support them. While research is ongoing, there is no clinical data currently to recommend these as anti-cancer agents.” Issued in public interest pic.twitter.com/gMuCTZmwzZ — Pramesh CS (@cspramesh) November 23, 2024 They further emphasised that cancer treatment should not be delayed in favour of unproven remedies. Proven methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy remain the only effective ways to treat cancer. The hospital also highlighted that cancer is curable if detected early, urging patients to consult cancer specialists. Experts in the field have backed Tata Memorial’s stance. Dr Cyric Abbey Philips, a prominent liver specialist, stated, “There is no evidence that any specific diet, herb, or Ayurvedic remedy can cure cancer. Doctors give cautious survival predictions to prepare patients, but they always strive to offer the best treatment possible.” Dr Pramesh CS, director of Tata Memorial Hospital, also dismissed the claims, calling them “unscientific and baseless.” He clarified that Navjot Kaur’s recovery was due to evidence-based treatments like surgery and chemotherapy, not dietary changes. PSA: Please don't believe and get fooled by these statements regardless of who it comes from. These are unscientific and baseless recommendations. She got surgery and chemotherapy that were evidence based which is what made her 🤞cancer-free. Not the haldi, neem etc pic.twitter.com/7gDgN1TzZ8 — Pramesh CS (@cspramesh) November 22, 2024 Stage 4 cancer is a severe form of the disease, often with limited chances of recovery. While it is not always terminal, treatment focuses on controlling the disease rather than curing it. Experts have cautioned against promoting false hope through unverified methods, as it could lead patients to delay essential treatments. Sidhu’s claims have sparked controversy, but medical professionals continue to stress the importance of relying on evidence-based treatments to combat cancer effectively.
23 November,2024 03:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaSenior Maharashtra BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance will make the final decision on Maharashtra CM, as the BJP-led coalition is on track for a big victory. Fadnavis dismissed any claims of a dispute over the Chief Minister's position as the Maharashtra Assembly election results 2024 showed Mahayuti getting majority. Speaking to reporters, Devendra Fadnavis said the election results show strong support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thanked women voters. He said that the opposition's attempts to spread false narratives and divide voters based on religion had been defeated by the people. 🕒 2.55pm | 23-11-2024📍Mumbai.LIVE | Media interaction#Maharashtra #Mumbai https://t.co/NslZENZ9HX — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 23, 2024 Devendra Fadnavis also mentioned that he was able to break through the opposition's strategy with the support of voters, the BJP team, and party leaders. Despite some calls for him to become the next Chief Minister, he made it clear that there was no disagreement over the CM post within the Mahayuti alliance. The Mahayuti comprises of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Fadnavis further stated that the people of Maharashtra have shown that the party led by Eknath Shinde is the true Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray. Maharashtra Election 2024 results Live According to the early election trends, the Mahayuti has been gaining the majority in the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah called Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and congratulated him on the party's impressive performance in the Maharashtra polls. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is on course to retain power in Maharashtra, and was leading in 222 of the 288 assembly seats, as per the latest figures by the Election Commission almost mid-way through the counting process in the November 20 elections. The BJP has so far won three seats and was leading in 124 others. Sarita Fadnavis, mother of Devendra Fadnavis, expressed happiness over Mahayuti's performance. "I never believed in any rumours and knew that he (Devendra) would do good. The party's success can be attributed to the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme and Devedra's efforts and popularity...He is very intelligent, smart and courageous and that has brought him this success," she said, reported the PTI.
23 November,2024 03:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a significant incident on Saturday around 1 pm, eight commuters who were standing at the door of a CSMT-bound fast local train sustained leg injuries when a metal object struck them. The incident occurred between Nahur and Bhandup railway stations. Some of the injured commuters, who were rushed to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar (East), told the treating doctors that a falling pole struck them. However, the Government Railway Control Room and Kurla Railway Police remained unsure about the exact cause of the mishap. They did confirm, however, that the commuters had sustained injuries. "We do not have any information about a pole falling incident between Nahur and Bhandup stations. You can contact the Kurla GRP as it falls under their jurisdiction," said a duty constable at the GRP control room. A lady policewoman at the Kurla Railway Police Station confirmed the injuries sustained by commuters traveling in the CSMT-bound fast local train. She said, "Our Sub-Inspector Bhandwalkar has gone to Rajawadi Hospital to record the statements of the injured. Only then will we know the exact reason behind the incident." When contacted, PSI T.H. Bhandwalkar stated that most of the injured commuters had boarded the fast local from Dombivli railway station at 12:17 p.m. and were standing at the entrance of the train. Between Nahur and Bhandup, a flying metal object or some fencing struck them in their legs. Unfortunately, no one is able to provide a clear explanation of what exactly happened. "We got them to the hospital once the train reached Ghatkopar railway station. We are currently investigating the case," Bhandwalkar said. Confirming the same, a senior doctor at the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital said, "The injured are vitally stable and have sustained injuries to their ankles and feet. They have been admitted, and X-rays are being taken." While Central Railway confirmed the incident, Chief public relations officer Dr Swapnil Nila said that no work was on in the section and the door of a signal cabin had hit a few commuters as of now there are reports of one or two injured. (With inputs from Rajendra B. Aklekar)
23 November,2024 03:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonFrom the Anushakti Nagar assembly constituency, Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker, who is also the wife of candidate Fahad Ahmed, has raised questions about the EVMs. Swara Bhasker, wife of NCP candidate Fahad Ahmed, led by Sharad Pawar, has made a major allegation. She claims that the counting has been ongoing since morning, and when the machines were opened, the EVMs were found to be 99 percent charged. She questioned how this is possible. For context, Fahad is trailing after 19 rounds of voting, while Nawab Malik’s daughter Sana Malik is leading. Swara Bhasker raises serious allegations Swara Bhasker took to social media and tweeted, “How can EVM machines still be 99% charged even after a whole day of voting? The Election Commission must answer. In the Anushakti Nagar assembly constituency, as soon as these 99% charged machines were opened, BJP-backed NCP started getting votes. How is this possible?” In #AnushaktiNagar vidhaan sabha after a steady lead by @FahadZirarAhmad of NCP-SP.. round 17, 18, 19 suddenly 99% battery charger EVMs are opened and BJP supported NCP-Ajit Pawar candidate takes lead. How can machines that have been voted on ALL day long have 99% charged… https://t.co/GknxDWOb5v — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 23, 2024 Fahad’s statement Addressing the matter, Fahad Ahmed said that the EVMs were 99 percent charged when they were opened. He added, “My competitor was not present here in the morning. Perhaps they knew what was about to happen. We came here at 5 AM.” He further claimed, “Wherever these specific EVMs are being opened, Sana Malik is leading by double or triple the margin. This is very concerning, and I want an investigation into this matter.” After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds.. EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took a lead .. @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI this is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19. pic.twitter.com/Z2JuUyIQqc — Fahad Ahmad (@FahadZirarAhmad) November 23, 2024 Sana Malik’s lead According to reports, there is a contest between NCP’s Fahad Ahmed and BJP-backed NCP candidate Sana Malik. Initially, Fahad was leading, but Sana began leading during the final rounds of voting. After 19 rounds of voting, Sana Malik is ahead by 3,378 votes, as per the Election Commission's website. The NDA has achieved a sweeping victory in Maharashtra, currently leading in 225 out of the 288 seats in the Assembly. In stark contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which had secured 30 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats just a month ago, is trailing far behind with only 56 seats in the state elections. Sharad Pawar’s party, which contested 87 seats, is ahead in just 13 constituencies.
23 November,2024 03:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaAmid counting of votes for Maharashtra elections 2024, Shiv Sena candidate from Andheri East Murji Patel on Saturday expressed confidence that he would win Andheri East with a margin of more than 20,000 votes, reported ANI. Patel said, "I had the darshan of Ganpati bappa just now. I prayed to Him for Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra once again. I prayed to him for his blessings...I will win Andheri East with a margin of more than 20,000 votes. In last 10 years, the people of Andheri have been hassled. No work was done," reported ANI. The Andheri East Assembly constituency went to polls on November 20. He faces tough contest from Rutuja Ramesh Latke from Shiv Sena (UBT). In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Ramesh Latke won in this seat, reported ANI. Counting began at 8 am on Saturday for the 2024 Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly Elections, along with bypoll results from 15 states. The counting, which will decide the fate of the 288 seats in Maharashtra and 81 in Jharkhand, is expected to reveal trends in the first few hours. In Maharashtra, the polling for the Legislative Assembly was held on Wednesday, with a turnout of over 66 percent, surpassing the 61 percent recorded in the 2019 elections. The Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is in a tough contest with the MVA alliance consisting of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). Both alliances view the increased voter turnout as a sign of support for their respective campaigns. State Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam praised efforts to increase voter participation, especially in Mumbai. "The Election Commission of India gave significant focus, attention, and time to Maharashtra this time. Each strategy was conceptualised and implemented with high precision. This resulted in a significant addition to the voter list between the Parliament election and the current election. Efforts were made to ease voting, especially in places like Mumbai, where there were challenges during the Parliament elections. This time, everyone appreciated the arrangements," he said. He also thanked nearly 6 lakh officials who ensured smooth voting, reported ANI. The bypolls were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states, with notable contests in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad, Kerala, where Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her electoral debut. (With inputs from ANI)
23 November,2024 02:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA truck was gutted after it caught fire on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district, officials said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI. Nobody was injured in the incident that took place on Friday evening on a bridge near Mahalaxmi temple in Dahanu, they said. Immediately after noticing flames, the driver of the truck jumped to safety. He and the local police tried to put out the fire, but the truck was completely gutted, an official said, reported PTI. The cause of the fire is not yet known, he said, adding that traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway was affected for a couple of hours after the incident, reported PTI. 14 injured as tempo hits bus on Mumbai-Pune Expressway Fourteen persons were injured after a tempo hit a private bus on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in Maharashtra's Raigad district in the early hours of November 21, a police official said. The incident took place at around 3 am when the bus carrying 11 persons was on way to Mumbai from Sangola. The brakes of a tempo transporting chickens failed following which the vehicle hit the bus from behind, the official said. The bus veered off the highway, overturned and fell into a 20-foot-deep ditch on the roadside, he said. Eleven persons onboard the bus, including the driver, and three tempo occupants were injured, the official said. The bus passengers were later rescued. They were treated for minor injuries at a civic-run hospital in Khopoli and later allowed to go. The three tempo occupants received serious injuries. They were undergoing treatment at the MGM Hospital in Kalamboli near Panvel, the official said. The Khopoli police were conducting a probe into the incident, the official added. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 02:03 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentAs the Mahayuti alliance approaches a commanding victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has emphasised that the decision regarding the Chief Ministerial candidate will be a collective one, made by all the parties in the alliance once the final results are declared on Saturday. Shinde, who is leading from his constituency, thanked party workers and expressed gratitude to the voters. "Let the final results come in... Once the results are out, just as we fought the elections together, all three parties will sit together and take a decision on who will be the CM," he said. Speaking about the alliance's expected victory, he added, "I thank the voters of Maharashtra. This is a landslide victory. I had said earlier that Mahayuti would secure a massive win. I am thankful to all sections of society and the workers of the Mahayuti parties." At his residence in Thane, celebrations erupted as Shiv Sena workers cheered and bouquets arrived in celebration. Shinde’s son, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, joined party members in celebrating their anticipated success. "As we had expected, we have secured impressive numbers. I thank all the voters who supported Mahayuti and gave us this landslide victory," said Shrikant Shinde. By 1:00 PM, Mahayuti had crossed the crucial majority threshold, securing victory in several constituencies and leading in more than 200 seats. Sweets were brought to the residence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, and BJP’s Mumbai office was filled with jubilation, as party workers anticipated a resounding victory. BJP leader Vikas Pathak commented on the Election Commission of India (ECI) trends, stating, "We were expecting over 160 seats for Mahayuti, and that is exactly how it is shaping up. The lead could increase further. This year has been significant for BJP, with the party crossing 100 seats, and a Mahayuti Chief Minister is set to take office." Despite the celebrations, Pathak acknowledged that the final celebrations would only begin once the conclusive results are out and senior leaders like Devendra Fadnavis and possibly Maharashtra BJP Chief Pawan Bawankule join the festivities. In Baramati, where Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is leading by 15,382 votes, celebrations were also underway. Supporters were seen bursting crackers in celebration, with Pawar and other NCP leaders joining in the festivities. Reacting to the ongoing results, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate admitted that the results had not met the party’s expectations. "There is no doubt we could have done better. Our campaign was strong, but perhaps the public expects more from us, and we will strive to meet their expectations," she said. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut dismissed the results, claiming they did not reflect the true sentiments of the people of Maharashtra. His comments were sharply criticised by BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who defended Mahayuti's victory. "When anyone loses, they start making excuses for their defeat. In Maharashtra, we have worked for the upliftment of the poor, women, and farmers. Today, a government under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi will form with a huge majority," he asserted. With the celebrations continuing across Maharashtra, all eyes will now be on the final decision regarding who will assume the post of Chief Minister. (With inputs from ANI)
23 November,2024 01:51 PM IST | MumbaiMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday lauded the performance of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state assembly polls, attributing its success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the popular campaign slogan “ek hai toh safe hai.” As per PTI reports, Fadnavis, who is contesting from the Nagpur South West assembly constituency, is leading by a significant margin of 19,437 votes, as per Election Commission data available at 1pm. In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Fadnavis wrote, “‘Ek hai toh safe hai’ and ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai.’ These slogans symbolise the trust people have in PM Modi's leadership and the Mahayuti alliance." The slogan "ek hai toh safe hai," heavily emphasised during Modi’s campaign speeches, resonated with voters and became a recurring theme of the electoral discourse, PTI notes. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has emerged as the frontrunner in the polls. As per PTI updates, the alliance is leading in more than 210 of the 288 assembly constituencies, setting the stage for a decisive mandate in favour of the ruling coalition. Polling for the assembly elections was conducted on Wednesday, and the counting of votes commenced early Saturday morning at 8am. The Election Commission data indicates a strong voter turnout in key constituencies, further strengthening the Mahayuti’s performance. The slogan “Modi hai toh mumkin hai,” which has been a cornerstone of the BJP’s campaign strategy nationally, also found significant traction in Maharashtra. The Mahayuti leaders frequently highlighted the Centre’s welfare policies and infrastructure projects, which, as per PTI, played a pivotal role in consolidating voter support. This electoral outcome is being viewed as a significant endorsement of the Mahayuti's governance model in the state. Meanwhile, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, comprising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, and Congress, trails significantly in the ongoing vote count. As Maharashtra awaits the formal announcement of results, political analysts predict a smooth transition for the ruling alliance to form the next government, with decisions on key leadership positions likely to be taken soon. The BJP is expected to hold its legislative party meeting on 25th November, followed by an oath-taking ceremony for the new government on the 26th, sources told PTI. This landslide victory reaffirms the Mahayuti’s stronghold in Maharashtra’s political landscape. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 01:29 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
