Page 27 - Maharashtra Assembly Elections

Mahayuti has a face that is corrupt...Need a trustworthy person: Thackeray

Without a face, INDIA's Lok Sabha tally was 237; the BJP's tally came down to 240. Had there been a face, we could have crossed that, said Aaditya Thackeray

Talks on MVA's CM face can happen later, dislodging Mahayuti 1st task: Raut

On Wednesday, Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who was in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in central Maharashtra, maintained there was no tussle among the MVA allies over the CM post

Number game in MVA post-polls to decide CM: Sharad Pawar says no tussle

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said there was no need for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to declare a chief ministerial face ahead of the Maharashtra assembly polls with his ally Shiv Sena (UBT) saying there was no tussle over the post. The MVA's chief ministerial candidate will be decided on the basis of which party wins the most number of assembly seats in the opposition alliance, he asserted. The former Union minister's comments came in the wake of Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray's recent statement favouring declaration of the opposition bloc's CM candidate ahead of the polls which are likely to be held in November. However, on Wednesday Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who was in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in central Maharashtra, maintained there was no tussle among the MVA allies over the CM post. Talking to reporters in Kolhapur, Pawar said the decision on who will be the chief minister can be made after the poll results ar

MVA creating wedge over statue collapse ahead of Maha polls: Narayan Rane

BJP leader and former Union minister Narayan Rane on Monday accused the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of creating a wedge in Maharashtra over the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue ahead of the state assembly polls. The statue of the 17th century Maratha warrior king at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil fell on August 26, over eight months after it was unveiled by PM Modi on the occasion of Navy Day. Rane, a former chief minister, also accused Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut of inciting tensions over the issue. Dubbing the incident as unfortunate, Rane said, "The three parties (Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP)) are working to create a wedge in the state over the collapse of the statue ahead of the state polls." The MVA had held a protest march from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India on Sunday to protest the episode. Opposition leaders who took part in the march slammed the Union and state governments over the statue crash, with Thackeray dismissing Modi's apology .

Govt looks to increase insurance cover under PMJJBY, PMSBY to Rs 5 lakh

Centre may increase cover from the current Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh under its flagship insurance schemes ahead of the high-stakes assembly elections in three states

Only Mahayuti alliance will burst crackers after Diwali: Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said only the Mahayuti alliance will burst crackers after Diwali, signalling the certainty of winning the upcoming assembly elections. Addressing a gathering at home turf Thane on Sunday late night, Shinde also paid rich tributes to his mentor, Anand Dighe, and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, emphasising that Sena led by him continues to uphold their teachings and principles. "Do you want all the schemes and programs started by the Yuti government to continue?" Shinde asked the audience which responded with affirmation. The ruling 'Mahayuti' or grand alliance comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar faces stiff opposition from Maha Vikas Aghadi of Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress in the assembly polls, due in October-November. Referring to political opponents, Shinde said, "Let them go to gallis (alleys) or Delhi, don't give them any importance. We will continue our work." He also mentioned his decision

How falling farm prices worry BJP ahead of Haryana and Maharashtra polls

Falling prices of agricultural produce are worrisome for the BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra, where elections are due, Sanjeeb Mukherjee reports

Mahayuti seat-sharing talks for Maha polls to conclude in 10 days: BJP

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday said seat-sharing talks for the assembly polls between the ruling allies will conclude in 10 days. Chances of winning and not the number of seats contested will be the criteria, he told reporters in Nagpur. "The seat-sharing talks in Mahayuti will conclude in 10 days. We have decided that seats will be allotted on the basis of winnability. We will leave some seats for our allies. How many each will contest is not important. What is important is to have double engine government to ensure continuity of welfare schemes," he said. Bawankule also said directives have been issued to all BJP functionaries to not make comments that could cause discord in the alliance, which also comprises Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Those violating this diktat will face strict action from the party, Bawankule added. Earlier, on Saturday, CM Shinde, and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar held ...

'Chhatrapati Shivaji our deity': PM Modi apologises for statue collapse

The statue of the 17th century Maratha empire founder, located at the Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, came crashing down on Monday

Sitting next to NCP ministers at meetings is nauseating: Sena leader

Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant has said that he sits next to his NCP peers at cabinet meetings but feels like vomiting after coming out, prompting a sharp reaction from the Ajit Pawar-led party. Speaking at an event on Thursday, Sawant, who is Maharashtra's health minister, said he is a hardcore Shiv Sainik and never got along with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders. Even if we sit next to each other in the cabinet, I feel like vomiting after coming out, Sawant said. The BJP, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar's NCP are partners in the ruling Mahayuti coalition in the state. NCP spokesperson and Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Amol Mitkari condemned Sawant's remark and asked whether it was the responsibility of only his party to keep the alliance intact. Sawant has made remarks in the past that have hurt the NCP, he said. We are quiet only to maintain the coalition dharma, Mitkari said. It is only the chief minister who can treat his nausea,

My govt did more for women in 10 yrs than was done since Independence: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government has done more for women in the last 10 years than was done by all the previous regimes since Independence. Addressing a Lakhpati Didi rally at Jalgaon in north Maharashtra, Modi also said his government is strengthening laws to provide for stringent punishment for crimes against women. Till 2014, less than Rs 25,000 crore loans were given to women self-help groups but in the last 10 years, Rs 9 lakh crore was given, Modi said. Modi also said Maharashtra needs the BJP-led Mahayuti government to continue for years to come to ensure the state's stability and prosperity. Maharashtra is the shining star of a developed India. The future of the state lies in more investment and job growth, he said. Modi, who interacted with Lakhpati Didis at Jalgaon, released the Rs 2,500 crore revolving fund benefiting 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh self-help groups. The Lakhpati Didi scheme is not only about boosting the income of women, but also

Looking forward to participate in 'lakhpati didi sammelan', says PM Modi

PM Modi will visit Jalgaon in Maharashtra and Jodhpur in Rajasthan on August 25. At around 11:15 AM, the Prime Minister will participate in the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan

Maharashtra's gazetted officers' body to go on strike from Aug 29

The Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Mahasangh on Thursday said it will go on an indefinite strike from August 29 if its demands, including reintroduction of the Old Pension Scheme, are not met. The move comes ahead of the state assembly polls likely to be held in October or November. The MSGOM said as stated in the state budget, the government must issue a government resolution on the OPS. It said the issue of OPS has been discussed with the state government but it is not being implemented. It has also demanded that the retirement age of state government employees be raised to 60 from 58. The MSOGM, while opposing the system of contractual jobs, demanded that three lakh vacant posts be filled by the state government.

AIMIM offers to join hands with MVA to defeat BJP in Maharashtra polls

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is keen to join hands with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra with an aim to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that is currently ruling the state along with two other parties, former MP Imtiaz Jaleel has said. Jaleel, who is the AIMIM's state unit president, was talking to Marathi news channel ABP Majha after a meeting of the party in Mumbai. Replying to a query, he said, "We had said this during the Lok Sabha elections and we are giving an offer to the MVA again to join hands as we want to defeat the BJP. But it is up to them whether to include us in the alliance or not." "If they (MVA parties) take us along, it will be beneficial for them. If not, we are ready to move ahead alone...If they think we have some power and have a vote bank, then they will ask us, otherwise they will not," Jaleel added. When asked if the AIMIM does not have any issue with MVA constituent Shiv Sena (UBT), he said, "The

Winnability to be key factor for seat-sharing among MVA partners: Cong

A Congress leader on Sunday said winnability would be the main criteria for seat-sharing among the MVA constituents for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls and it will be worked out amicably at the earliest. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), is already in the poll and campaign mode, having held a joint meeting of their office-bearers on August 16, state Congress working president Naseem Khan told PTI. "Winnability would the basis for seat-sharing among the allies and it will be worked out amicably at the earliest," he said. "The Lok Sabha poll results will surely be replicated in the assembly elections," Khan said, expressing confidence of the MVA's victory. He claimed that false promises and fake narrative of the ruling 'Mahayuti' (comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP) have been exposed. "Development has reduced and corruption has increased during their tenure. The state government has worked to weaken Mumbai and Maharashtra,

ECI cites J&K security, festivals, rains for not announcing Maha polls

The Election Commission on Friday said the Maharashtra Assembly elections will be announced later, citing the requirement of additional security forces for the Jammu and Kashmir polls and the packed festival season in the western state. Addressing a press conference here, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said heavy rains in Maharashtra has also led to delays in updation of the voters list in the state, which is considered as a crucial step in the electoral process. Kumar also hinted that the Maharashtra elections could be held after Diwali. "There was heavy rainfall in Maharashtra, BLOs (booth level officers) have to complete their work. There are several festivals too that have to be factored in. Ganesh Festival, Pitru Paksha, Navratri, Diwali, all that put together this is what we thought we could handle as two elections at a time," the CEC said. Kumar said the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana were held together in 2019, but Jammu and Kashmir was not a factor

MVA meet: Thackeray bats for announcing CM face first; Pawar, Cong silent

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday insisted that MVA decide its chief ministerial face first rather than going by the logic of which party wins most seats, asserting he would back any candidate announced by the Congress and NCP (SP). His Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally Sharad Pawar, who heads NCP(SP), did not touch upon the contentious issue but stressed the need for a single-point agenda to change the government in Maharashtra if the situation has to improve in the state. Pawar told the MVA cadres the three partners will take along the Left outfits, Peasants and Workers Party of India (PWP) and Samajwadi Party by giving them due respect, and present a united face before the people of the state. The Congress too pitched for focussing on unseating the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, with the party's state unit chief Nana Patole saying the leaders of INDIA bloc will decide on who will be the chief minister. Addressing party workers of the opposition bloc MVA here, Thackeray .

J-K Assembly polls from Sept 18; Haryana votes on Oct 1; counting on Oct 4

Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir: This is the first election in the newly drawn UT of J-K after the abolition of Article 370 in 2019

Many BJP MLAs to join Cong before Maharashtra Assembly polls, claims Patole

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Friday claimed many BJP MLAs will join his party before the state assembly elections. Patole was talking to reporters after the induction of former BJP MP Shishupal Patle into the party. The Congress leader alleged there is a lot of resentment among the allies of the Mahayuti comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party headed by Ajit Pawar. "Many leaders of the BJP and its allies will join the Congress in the coming days," Patole said. Patle, a former MP from Bhandara, said the BJP has changed and become a party of contractors and traders. The party does not have a connect with farmers and the working classes, he said. "The BJP has used central probe agencies to break opposition parties. I joined the Congress to work for people," Patle said. In the Lok Sabha elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The Shiv Sena (UBT) had contested 21 seats, followed by .

Will stop 'bahu, behan' yojana if dues not paid: SC pulls up Maha govt

The Supreme Court bench said that it will stop freebies offered by the Maharashtra government if the state fails to pay up the due compensation by August 28