A day before the results, BJP-Mahayuti and MVA reached out to prospective winners from among independents and fronts. Of these, Parivartan Mahashakti said it was approached by both alliances. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi said it will support the alliance that can form the government. The BJP which has the highest number of rebels (about 40) has deputed half a dozen leaders to deal with the winners. Senior leaders will directly negotiate with the fronts that win multiple seats. In MVA too, the leadership has taken upon itself to be in touch with those who they want to support the Opposition's number game. The Congress has the second-highest number of rebels (about 32), followed by the Sena (UBT-8), NCP (SP-5) and Shinde Sena (1). Not all are expected to win, but whoever wins will be a prize catch for those who get him/her to support. DCM Devendra Fadnavis, CM Eknath Shinde, and DCM Ajit Pawar at a press conference. File pic/Shadab Khan In Maharashtra’s 288-member Assembly, 145 MLAs are needed to form the government. However, a strength of more than the half mark is considered best for stabilising the government. In the past five years, the BJP and undivided Sena had together won more than 145 MLAs in 2019. The subsequent short government fell because it did not garner a majority. The MVA came into existence to form a government with almost 170 MLAs. It also collapsed because of the revolt in Sena. The Shinde-Fadnavis combine also managed the MVA’s number, which was further strengthened by the NCP splinter’s inclusion in 2023. In the current Assembly, there are 13 independents. The existing coalitions have some small parties with them in their respective pre-poll pacts, but some have stayed away from the principal parties. The small parties/fronts that have been winning a couple of seats every election are on the radar of the ruling and Opposition parties. Parivartan Mahashakti constituent Bacchu Kadu is one such sitting MLA. Kadu’s Prahar Janashakti Party has one more MLA in the outgoing House. Kadu and his other candidates are in the fray this election. Farmers’ leader Raju Shetti’s Swabhimani Paksha has fielded two candidates. Currently, it has one MLA. Kadu said he was contacted by both alliances, but he had not taken any decision yet. “We will decide once the (result) trends start coming in tomorrow,” he said, adding that he would rather make his government rather than supporting others. Kadu said he was also in touch with others because his party was likely to win four-five seats. “Our third front will win at least 10-15 seats. The workers are very much excited,” he added. MVA leaders Nana Patole, Sharad Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray at a press conference. File pic/Satej Shinde Kadu was a minister in the MVA government and later supported Eknath Shinde’s rebellion. He was among the MLAs who were taken to Gujarat and Assam in the wake of the Sena split in 2022. However, he distanced himself from Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha elections and caused a defeat of BJP’s Navneet Rana in Amravati. He formed a third front with Shetti and Chhatrapati Sambhaji’s Maharashtra Swarajya Party for the Assembly elections. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar said on social media that his party would support the party (alliance) that can form the government. “If VBA gets the numbers tomorrow to support a party or an alliance to form the government in Maharashtra, we will choose to be with one who can form the government. We will choose power! Hum satta me rahna chunenge!” he posted on ‘X’ on Friday. VBA is contesting 200 of a total of 288 Assembly seats. It hasn’t managed to win a single Lok Sabha or Assembly seat ever since its inception in 2018. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena which is contesting 125 seats, already made its intentions of supporting the BJP very clear, though it has fought against Mahayuti. AIMIM, which has two sitting MLAs, has candidates in 17 constituencies. Barring the Bahujan Samaj Party (contesting 237 seats), all others are likely to win a couple of seats each. AIMIM has always been with the non-BJP alliance in the House. Hitendra Thakur-led Bahujan Vikas Aghadi that has three MLAs currently, and if it wins the same number or even less in 2024, will also play a crucial role in a neck-to-neck situation. 'No tussle over CM' Congress in-charge General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala played down a verbal war between his party colleague, Nana Patole and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut, over the CM's post. "There is no dispute over the CM post. We all will decide after the results," he said, adding that MVA was all set to win a clear majority to form the next government. "There is no question of a hung House because the people have supported us. The increased voter turnout is an indication of massive support. The unrest between certain leaders of Congress and Sena came to the fore Thursday night when the state Congress President Nana Patole skipped the meetings with Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. The backdrop was Patole-Raut verbal duel over claiming the CM's seat. Patole had said the Congress would be the single largest party and hence would also have its CM. Raut countered it with a remark that, in such a case, the Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and others in the high command should declare Patole's name for the top job. Statements regarding the CM's job also came from the ruling alliance partners. Shiv Sena leaders rooted for Eknath Shinde, while BJP's state President Chandrashekhar Bawankule said his party workers wanted Fadnavis to get the job again.
23 November,2024 07:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreThe world is our playground Children hop onto an abandoned vehicle near Badhwar Park in Colaba during their playtime Mediterranean hop in Santacruz The rooftop bar at the restaurant in Santacruz Mumbai’s culinary scene is all set to get a Mediterranean addition, courtesy the opening of Mirage, a Santacruz-based restaurant that will showcase a Middle-Eastern-meets-Eurasian menu. Chef Bobby Recto and Chef Maher Ramzi “Each dish is a celebration of the Mediterranean’s vibrant culture. Mumbai’s palate is dynamic, and it reflects in its openness to global cuisine. Patrons will resonate with the freshness of our fare,” chef Maher Ramzi revealed to this diarist. For Filipino chef Bobby Recto, it is also about finding a balance in flavours, “I’ve focused on maintaining the authenticity of my culture, but also adapted the dishes so that they complement Mumbai’s taste palate.” This Punekar loves mid-day This diarist was pleasantly surprised when Muhammad Yamin (inset), a mid-day reader from Pune, shared a doodle-noted version of this tabloid’s frontpage (above) on social media yesterday. “It is my ‘Thank You’ note to the newspaper that has kept me informed all these years,” Yamin revealed. The photographer has been doodle-noting — a technique that blends doodling and taking notes — as a way to keep himself busy between work. “When I moved to Pune in 2018, I set out to find a distributor that supplied the tabloid here. The digital version is convenient, no doubt. But nothing beats having a physical copy in hand,” he added. It is readers like Yamin who remind us that print, indeed, will never die. Everybody loves a holiday Khyati Mehta vacations in Switzerland Kandivali-based entrepreneur and runner Khyati Mehta is putting the happy in ‘happy holidays’ for Mumbai’s persons with disabilities (PwD) community. Dream2Holiday, Mehta’s new venture, will take flight early next year on a fully accessible, disability-friendly tour to Dubai. “Accessibility doesn’t end at providing a wheelchair. More often than not, pushing a self-propelled wheelchair becomes tiring and takes away from the holiday experience. Living with a prosthetic leg, I relate to these concerns deeply,” Mehta shared. To that end, vacationers will be given an electric wheelchair, in addition to other facilities like a sign language interpreter and accessible accommodation and transportation. Those interested in joining, can call 7021884878 to know more about this initiative. Climate change is for real A previous session at the Columbia Global Center at Nariman Point The repercussions of an increasingly changing climate are familiar to the average Mumbaikar but its far-reaching, overarching consequences across multiple ecosystems, needs to be deliberated as well. The Columbia Global Center Mumbai in collaboration with Columbia Climate School is bringing an insightful online discussion on climate change and food systems with Columbia professors, Jessica Fanzo and Ruth DeFries on November 25. (From left) Ruth DeFries; Rachna Tahilyani “The session will explore the intersection between climate change and food systems in addressing the global climate crisis. It is relevant for Mumbai as the city is not only a densely populated urban hub but also linked with regional agricultural systems that are vulnerable to climate change. Professor DeFries’ research on the ecological challenges faced by central India is also something that deeply resonates with the environmental and social concerns in Maharashtra,” Rachna Tahilyani, director, Columbia Global Center Mumbai, told this diarist. To register, readers can log on to globalcenters.columbia.edu. Calling birders to Hanging Garden Eurasian hoopoe. Pic courtesy/ DARSHAN KHATAU Early birds will catch not the worm but the walk tomorrow morning. A guided bird-identification trail from 7 am to 9.30 am in the Hanging Garden (Malabar Hill) precinct, by members of the Save Hanging Garden campaign, promises plenty of winged wonder moments. The trail will be led by avian expert Adesh Shivkar. This diarist has learnt that his walks are full of trivia, natural history and anecdotes, interspersed with his amazing skill to mimic bird calls. The meeting point of the walk is Gate no 1, Hanging Garden, Malabar Hill. To register, send a message to: adesh.shivkar@gmail.com.
23 November,2024 06:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayIn a move that could transform commuting dynamics on the Prabhadevi-Parel axis, Western Railway (WR) has said that it’s working on two new foot overbridges (FOB) and exploring the feasibility of a new platform on the west side of Prabhadevi station. While one bridge will be built in the middle of the station, another one in the works at the south end will be linked to Parel station’s circulating area, improving connectivity between the stations. Central Railway (CR) has independently started redevelopment works at Parel station at the cost of Rs 9.41 crore, which involves creating more circulating area, shifting a booking office and creating a large walking space for entries and exits. It is on this side, near the approach road of Parel station, that the new foot overbridge linking Prabhadevi station will be coming up. The existing road overbridge over Prabhadevi and Parel stations is also being reconstructed as a double-decker bridge as part of the Sewri-Worli connector, which will link the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) and Bandra-Worli Sea Link. mid-day had highlighted a few weeks ago how stalls and utilities at the station had been streamlined in the wake of complaints from commuters. The Railways have said two new foot overbridges are under work and they will also study building an additional platform to decongest Prabhadevi station. Replying to the original complainant, WR, said the construction of a 12-metre-wide foot overbridge had been proposed in the middle of Prabhadevi station, which will connect platforms 1 and 2 to the west side of the station. The construction work will start soon. “A foot overbridge at the south end of the station, which will connect the east and west circulating areas, is also under construction. While the WR portion is complete, the CR part is being built and will be completed soon,” an official said. The newly opened escalator at the Dadar railway station. Pics/RAJENDRA B. AKLEKAR As far as an additional double-discharge home platform is concerned, WR officials said the feasibility of constructing an additional platform will be explored and action will be taken accordingly. Commuters had complained that there was a single platform at Prabhadevi station and during peak hours of morning and evening, there are trains from both Borivli bound and Churchgate bound that halt at almost the same time. This situation was creating a stampede-like situation at the north and south ends of the bridges. Considering that Prabhadevi railway station has one of the highest average daily footfalls on WR—78,000—the area is highly insufficient, compromising the safety of railway passengers at large. “We are thankful to Railways for initiating action and look forward to more positive developments like these,” Devendra Tandel, president of Akhil Maharashtra Macchimar Kruti Samiti, who had originally petitioned the railways with a complaint about the congestion at the station, said. The partially built bridge at the Churchgate end of Prabhadevi station “The problem is with the narrow staircase to the south (Churchgate) end of the bridge. Railways need to build one more staircase here along with a lift. This will help decongest the bridge in the morning and evening peak hours,” another commuter, Pushkar Jain, said. Dadar station escalator opens As highlighted by mid-day, platform 8 of Dadar station was widened and opened for the public recently. The platform has been widened from seven metres to 10.5 metres. Following a series of articles by this newspaper on how the railway police had been struggling to manage the crowd at platform nos. 1 and 2, CR’s Mumbai divisional railway manager (DRM) Rajneesh Goyal had promised not just to widen the platform but had also drawn up a master plan of the station to create more space for passengers, including other platforms. The escalator at the station, which had been under construction for several months, was finally opened to the public on Friday.
23 November,2024 06:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarDo 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 23. Aries March 21 – April 20There’s complete acceptance, love and bonding at both the karmic soul level and personally. Just be yourself to remain peaceful.Cosmic tip: Don’t place life on hold by making self-imposed restrictions on yourself. Taurus April 21 – May 20Social life is slow since work scenario is more than normally busy. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Spend as much time at home as is possible since this is your idea of perfect happiness. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Those who have taken some time off from work can think of getting back once more. Make the most of a lucky break. Life is good.Cosmic tip: Strengthen ties of love and togetherness. Cancer June 22 – July 23Follow your passion (work-wise) getting involved in activities that bring a feeling of having achieved what you set out to do. There’s surprising turn of events.Cosmic tip: Try to cut down on socializing. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Avoiding spending time with disrespectful people is the way forward. Try to curb expenses to whatever level is possible. A trip is planned.Cosmic tip: Take proactive care of health if a senior citizen. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Think carefully before making any commitment you may not be able to see through. Making regular small investments build up with time.Cosmic tip: Don’t be self-effacing. Give yourself credit where credit is due. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Those in a long term relationship may decide to take it to the next level. Don’t take any action if confused.Cosmic tip: Stay away from complicated situations and people (particularly at work). Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Your partner/ spouse may feel you are too demanding at times, but that is you. Take care of health.Cosmic tip: Deal patiently with the team to get the work done quickly and efficiently. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Taking a hobby to the next level speaks for your pioneering spirit. Karmic timing is in your favour. Cosmic tip: Maintain a professional attitude with people who find fault just to undermine confidence. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Clarity about what you want to achieve is important, to begin with; then go ahead with plans. Pay attention to health issues.Cosmic tip: Never forget what life and experience has taught you. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Remain far away from office politics as you abhor unpleasantness and sneaky behaviours. Being spontaneous with your loved one keeps the flame strong.Cosmic tip: Aim for clear communication in personal and professional equations. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Handle any documents or legal matter with care. Look at practicalities if wanting to make some dietary changes over time.Cosmic tip: Work on letting go of small habits that undermine health slowly.
23 November,2024 02:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseThe results of fierce electoral battle in Maharashtra will unfold tomorrow with the leaders of the ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) expressing confidence of their victories in a keenly-watched outcome that has long-term implications for various players, particularly from the two factions of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which have seen splits. Votes will be counted from 8 am and the trends are expected to emerge in the next two hours. The Mahayuti, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and NCP, is locked in a fierce contest with MVA that includes Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). Polling for the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was held on Wednesday. A total of 66.05 per cent polling was recorded in the state against nearly 61 per cent in the 2019 Assembly Elections. Mahayuti and MVA leaders are both interpreting the increased voting percentage as a sign of greater support for them, reported news agency ANI. Lauding the increased voter participation in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, State's Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam, said, "The Election Commission of India gave a lot of focus, attention and time for Maharashtra this time. Each and every strategy was conceptualised and implemented with high precision. This resulted in a huge number of addition in the voter list also between the Parliament election and the current election. Efforts made to make voting easier, especially in a place like Mumbai where we had some problems at the time of Parliament elections but this time everyone praised the arrangements." "So, so much work has been done. The Election Commission thanks all the voters who came out to vote on the day to ensure that history is created... We have increased by 5 per cent more. We want to thank all of them. Nearly 6 lakh officers and employees were putting their efforts into welcoming the voters and ensuring that they vote very easily," he added. BJP contesting on 148 seats, Congress on 102 Among the Mahayuti, the BJP is contesting on the largest number of seats — 148 — followed by Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena at 80 and NCP, which is headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, at 52. There are six more seats where the Mahayuti candidates are in the fray. In the opposite camp, the Congress is contesting on 102 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) on 96 and NCP (SP) on 86. Two seats are being contested by the Samajwadi Party while two other seats by smaller MVA allies. On the eve of the results, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi exuded confidence in MVA of wresting power from the Mahayuti in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, ANI reported. "People of Maharashtra are going to free them [Mahayuti] for the next 25 years. The government of loot, corruption, and (industrialist Gautam) Adani is going to end. We will get the majority. They are booking helicopters because they know people will ask them questions, and they need to run away," she told ANI. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav expressed confidence that Mahayuti will retain power in the state. "Mahayuti will form the government. We are going to win with a majority...The result will be in our favour... The name of the CM will be announced after the result. There is no competition in the alliance...We will get above 200 seats," he said. MVA will get 160-165 seats Most exit polls predicted Mahayuti's victory with some suggesting that it is a tight race between the two alliances. BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh said the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc will be "wiped out" in Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls. "Those who have been blaming EVMs (electronic voting machines) for their defeat, when they won the elections in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, the EVMs were correct. Just like people rejected Congress in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, similarly in Maharashtra, the Congress-led alliance will be wiped out. The people will give a befitting reply to the corrupt, parivarvaad parties. PM (Narendra) Modi's government, which works for the poor, women and the youth will get the blessings of the people," Chugh told ANI. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said MVA will get 160-165 seats. At least 145 seats are required to cross the majority in the Maharashtra Assembly. "The results will be out tomorrow. We are sure that we are going to get the majority. Around 160-165 of our MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) would be elected... The 'khokha walas' will pressure them, so we have made an arrangement for them to stay together in a hotel... Sharad Pawar, Congress and Uddhav Thackeray will have a role to play [in choosing the CM face]. MVA will get complete majority and we will make a unanimous decision [on the CM]... No formula has been made yet, everyone will sit together and choose the CM," he said. This is the first election after the splits in NCP and Shiv Sena. Results of Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024, 2 LS seats also tomorrow In the 2019 elections, BJP won 105 seats, followed by the undivided Shiv Sena (56), undivided NCP (54), Congress (44), and independents (13). Candidates from other parties won 16 seats. The results have implications for all the four major parties, particularly NCP and Shiv Sena. Thackeray lost his chief ministerial position owing to split in Shiv Sena in 2022 and his faction has been keen to prove a point in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. His key rival CM Shinde also gained popularity owing to the welfare measures initiated by the Mahayuti government and there is a seeming clash over who is true inheritor of Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy. NCP also suffered a split with Pawar joining the ruling alliance as Deputy CM in July 2023. His uncle Sharad, who now heads NCP (SP), kept a tight campaign and has been keen to see that there is no dent to his long legacy in politics. A lot is at stake for the Congress, too, in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 after the party is seen to have bungled its prospect last month in the state polls in Haryana where the BJP has formed its third successive government. Results will also be declared tomorrow for the Jharkhand Assembly polls tomorrow along with the bypolls to 48 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats. (With ANI inputs)
22 November,2024 10:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway on Friday, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, said that it will operate mega block on its suburban sections to carry out various engineering and maintenance works on Sunday. The Central Railway shared the details of the services which would be affected during the block period. Diversion of Suburban Services Down fast/Semi fast locals departing CSMT from 09.57 am ( Karjat local S-17) to 02.42 pm (Asangaon Local AN-15) will be diverted on Down slow line between Thane and Kalyan stations and will halt at Kalva, Mumbra and Diva stations in addition to their respective scheduled halts and will arrive at destination 10 mins later than the scheduled arrival. Up fast/Semi fast Locals departing Kalyan from 10.28 am (Ambarnath local A-26) to 03.06 pm(Khopoli local KP-8) will be diverted on Up slow line between Kalyan and Thane stations and will halt at Diva, Mumbra and Kalva stations in addition to their respective scheduled halts and will further be re-diverted on UP FAST Line at Thane station and will arrive at destination 10 mins later than the scheduled arrival. Diversion of UP Mail/Express trains Following Up Mail/Express trains will be diverted on Up fast line between Kalyan and Thane stations and will arrive at destination 10 to 15 mins behind the schedule. • 12140 (Nagpur-CSMT Exp)• 22160 (Chennai-CSMT Exp)• 22226 (Solapur-CSMT Vande Bharat)• 12168 (Banaras-LTT Exp)• 12321 (Howrah -CSMT Exp)• 12812 (Hatia -LTT Exp)• 11014 (Coimbatore -LTT Exp)• 12142 (Patliputra -LTT Exp)• 12294 (Prayagraj-LTT DURONTO Exp)• 11080 (Gorakhpur-LTT Exp)• 11060 (Chapra-LTT Exp)• 12164 (Chennai - LTT Exp)• 12162 (Agra Cantt - LTT Exp) Diversion of Down Mail/Express trains Following down Mail/Express trains will be diverted on down fast line between Thane and Kalyan stations and will run 10 to 15 mins behind the schedule. • 11055 (LTT- Gorakhpur Exp)• 11061 (LTT- Jaynagar Exp)• 17222 (LTT- Kakinada Exp)• 11071 (LTT- Barauni Exp)• 13202 (LTT- Patna Jn Exp) Diversion of Mail/Express Services: Down 5th line Mail/Express trains leaving LTT will be diverted on the Down fast line between Thane and Kalyan stations. Up 6th line Mail/Express trains arriving at LTT/DR/CSMT will be diverted on the Up fast line between Kalyan and Thane stations. Short Termination/Origination of Mail/Express Services: 16346 (Tiruvanathapuram-LTT Exp) Journey commencing on 22.11.2024 will be short terminated at Panvel station and will be cancelled between Panvel and LTT 16345 (LTT- Tiruvanathapuram Exp) Journey commencing on 24.11.2024 will short originate from Panvel and service between LTT and Panvel will be cancelled. Up and Down Trans Harbour line between Thane and Vashi/Nerul stations from 11.10 am to 4.10 pm Up and down Trans Harbour line services will remain suspended between Vashi / Nerul and Thane stations during the block period. Down line services for Vashi / Nerul / Panvel departing Thane from 10.35 am to 4.07 pm and UP line services for Thane departing Vashi / Nerul / Panvel from 10.25 am to 4.09 pm will remain cancelled. These maintenance mega blocks are essential for infrastructure upkeep and safety, the Central Railway said.
22 November,2024 10:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 35-year-old woman from Jogeshwari (East) died by suicide in Cooper Hospital, Vile Parle, on Friday around 5 pm. The police stated that the victim had been suffering from liver issues and had been admitted to the ladies' ward in the hospital three days ago after undergoing multiple tests. The Juhu Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and initiated an investigation into the case. The woman, who worked as a cook, is survived by her husband and their 16-year-old daughter. "The woman's husband was not allowed to stay overnight in the ladies' ward. Her 16-year-old daughter stayed with her. On Friday morning, when the daughter fell asleep, the woman took the drastic step. Around 5.15 am, when her daughter woke up, she found that her mother was not on the bed, and informed the hospital staff about it. The hospital staff searched for the woman and found her lying on the ground. Following an examination, the doctors declared her dead. We didn’t find any foulplay in the death. The woman was suffering from liver failure, and was depressed," a police officer said.
22 November,2024 09:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA fire broke out at a complex housing scrap godowns in Bhiwandi town of Thane district in Maharashtra on Friday evening, civic officials said, reported the PTI. No one was injured in the fire that broke out at around 4.45 pm, the officials said. The blaze broke out in the Fatima Nagar locality in Bhiwandi area, said Yasin Tadvi, chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). On getting information about the fire, the officials from the fire brigade and the disaster management cell along with other civic staff rushed to the spot and launched a fire-fighting operation. Three fire engines from the Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNMC) and one from the Kalyan-Dombivli civic body were rushed to the spot to douse the flames, he said. Yasin Tadvi informed that the fire, whose cause was not immediately known, quickly spread and engulfed at least a dozen scrap godowns in the complex, as per the PTI. The investigations into the cause of the fire is underway, the officials said. Village sarpanch electrocuted by illegal wire fence in Nagpur district; 3 booked Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 32-year-old sarpanch of a village was electrocuted after he came in contact with an illegal electric fencing on a field in Maharashtra's Nagpur district, the police said on Friday. According to the PTI, the incident occurred in Thutanbori village in Bhiwapur tehsil which is around 50 km from the district headquarters, in the morning, an official said. The sarpanch of Thutanbori identified as Vinod Natthuji Gurpude came in contact with an alleged illegal wire fence installed to protect crops from animals, he said. The official said that the man died on the spot following the incident. Following the information, the police rushed to the spot and began to investigate the matter. The official said a case has been registered against one Sushil Digambar Bhute (42), Gangadhar Mahadev Sahare (52), and Tularam Dhanvijay (48) under section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigations in the case are underway, the official said. (with PTI inputs)
22 November,2024 08:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police on Friday issued traffic restrictions for the ongoing work of Mumbai Metro 6 project in Sakinaka. In a traffic notification, the police said that in Sakinaka Traffic Division, in connection with the Metro 6 project on JVLR Road (NSG Camp to Ganesh Ghat selfie point), it is necessary to temporarily close the road and divert the traffic for the purpose of launching of elements for erection work laid by Eagle Infra India LTD. It said that the traffic restrictions were being issued to prevent danger, obstructions and inconveniences to the public. The notification was issued by Dr. Raju Bhujbal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Eastern Suburb Traffic, Mumbai Police. Road Closed - North bound of JVLR Road from NSG Camp to Ganesh Ghat selfie point shall remain closed for all type of vehicular traffic. Road Diversion - The traffic on North bound from NSG Camp to Ganesh Ghat selfie point on the JVLR Road will be divert on south bond of same road in single lane. Also traffic coming on the south of said road will be diverted on its single lane. The traffic notification further said that the above order shall be in force from date 24/11/2024 to date 15/12/2024 on every day for time period from 23.45 pm to 6 am. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police on Thursday issued restrictions around counting centers in the city ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election results. In an official preventive order, Mumbai Police said that in light of the upcoming vote counting process scheduled for November 23, 2024, a restriction order to ensure the smooth conduct of the election procedure and to maintain public order was being issued. The order was issued by Akbar Pathan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mumbai Police. The order, which will be in effect from 6:00 am on November 21 until 12:00 midnight on November 24, prohibits any individual, except for election officials or public servants on duty, from loitering or assembling in groups within a 300-meter radius of designated counting centers across the city. The restriction aims to prevent obstruction, public disturbance, and ensure the safety of both the election staff and the public, said the order. It said that no person other than an official engaged in connection with the election or any public servant engaged in duty at or in the vicinity of the counting centers, shall loiter or join or form any assembly or group of persons of any public through fare, highway road, street lane, bye-lane or any other public place within a distance of 300 meters radius from any counting centers. The locations affected by this order include key counting centers spread throughout the city, ranging from Borivali and Dahisar to Andheri, Bandra, Worli, and Colaba. The centers are spread across various municipal schools, community halls, and other public venues that will be used to tally the election results.
22 November,2024 06:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSenior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat on Friday said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will form the next government in state after the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024, the PTI reported. The MVA comprises of the Congress, Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Speaking ahead of the counting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly polls on Saturday, Balasaheb Thorat, who is the Congress' frontrunner for the CM's post, said, "We (MVA) won't have any difficulty in definitely and easily forming the next government in the state," according to the PTI. Balasaheb Thorat, who met Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar in Mumbai, told reporters, "Our numbers will be so good that we won't even have to look for the numbers from outside the MVA coalition." Thorat, who is seeking re-election as an MLA for the ninth term, faced a challenge from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's Amol Khatal in Sangamner constituency in the November 20 elections. Situated in Ahilyanagar district, Sangamner encompasses parts of the Rahata tehsil and the entire Sangamner tehsil. The constituency is part of the Shirdi Lok Sabha seat, which includes five other assembly segments: Akole, Shirdi, Kopargaon, Shrirampur, and Nevasa. Counting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly election 2024 will begin at 8 am on Saturday, with all eyes on the outcome of the battle between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which is seeking to make a comeback, as per the PTI. The final turnout in the polls, held on November 20, was 66.05 per cent, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019, election officials said. Counting of votes will also be held for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, where 67.81 per cent voting was recorded on November 20. Kolhapur district led with 76.63 per cent polling, followed by 75.26 per cent in Gadchiroli, which has some Left Wing Extremism affected pockets, while the lowest was in Mumbai island city at 52.07 per cent. Mumbai suburban district recorded 55.95 per cent polling. A total of 288 counting centres have been set up for the counting of votes on Saturday, including one for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll. A total of 288 counting observers will oversee each assembly constituency, with two observers assigned to monitor counting in Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, an official said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
22 November,2024 06:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) National Secretary Vinod Tawde has demanded an apology from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for making "false and baseless" allegations against him in the cash-for-votes incident in Maharashtra and warned that if the two leaders failed to do so, he would sue them for defamation. Congress’s only agenda – to spread lies!I have filed a defamation case against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and their party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate for their baseless allegations in the Nallasopara case. Despite their attempts to tarnish my image… pic.twitter.com/f15Q7qlmDf — Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) November 22, 2024 A day before the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 on Tuesday, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), a regional party, accused Tawde of distributing Rs 5 crore to woo voters in a hotel in Virar, near Mumbai. The former Maharashtra Minister claiming innocence, said that the alleged amount was not recovered in the probe by the Election Commission and the police. "The Congress only believes in spreading lies, and this incident is a proof of the party's low level politics to dent me and my party's image," Tawde said. Along with Kharge and Gandhi, Tawde has also accused party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate after she seized on the row to accuse BJP of using money power to influence the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, which concluded on Wednesday. According to news agency PTI, the legal notice sent to the three Congress leaders on the grounds that they were aware that they were pushing a "totally false story fabricated" by them. "You all have deliberately, mischievously with the sole intention of damaging the reputation of our client intentionally fabricated the story distribution of money. You all have published false, baseless allegations against our client on various media for tarnishing his image in the eyes of right thinking people in the society," the notice read. The Congress leaders were in a "great hurry" to damage Tawde's reputation, they did not bother to check the fact despite knowing the entire fact they made the false, baseless allegations, PTI stated quoting the notice. "The entire imputation made by you all are totally false, baseless, malicious and mala fide and as our client is in no way involved in any such illegal activity and as a responsible office bearer of the national political party he is aware of his duties," it added. Tawde has demanded an "unconditional apology" within 24 hours from the time the receipt of the notice, which was sent on Thursday, and published in newspapers and X. If they do not offer apology, then Tawde will initiate criminal proceedings under Section 356, which covers defamation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and also civil proceedings for the damages of Rs 100 crore against the three Congress leaders, the notice said. (With PTI inputs)
22 November,2024 05:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
