Page 20 - Shiv Sena

LS polls in Maharashtra gets interesting after splits in Shiv Sena, NCP

Splits in key political parties Shiv Sena and NCP have made the battle for the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra more interesting, besides the focus on traditional issues like unemployment and farmer suicides. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. The BJP-Shiv Sena won 41 of the 48 seats in the 2019 polls, but the Sena has split since and a vast majority of the Bal Thackeray-founded party is now allied with the BJP. The Nationalist Congress Party also split as well with Ajit Pawar joining the ruling alliance in the state, led by Eknath Shinde. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP emerged the top party with 23 seats, followed by the undivided Sena with 18. The undivided NCP had emerged victorious on four seats, the Congress one, while the AIMIM and an Independent accounted for the remaining two. A total of 9.2 crore persons, including more than 50,000 centenarians, are ..

LS polls highlights: Seat sharing with BJP finalised, says Chirag Paswan

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Leave BJP, we will ensure your victory: Uddhav Thackeray tells Gadkari

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has again asked Union minister Nitin Gadkari to leave the BJP if he is being "insulted", saying the opposition in Maharashtra would ensure his victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Speaking at a rally at Pusad in eastern Maharashtra's Yavatmal district on Tuesday, Thackeray said people like (former Congress leader) Kripashankar Singh, whom the BJP once targeted (over alleged corruption), figured in the saffron party's first list of candidates along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but Gadkari's name was missing. "I had told Gadkari this two days ago, and I am repeating it again. If you are being insulted, leave the BJP and join the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). We will ensure your victory. We will make you a minister when our government comes to power, and it will be a post with powers," he said. The opposition MVA comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Congress. Last week, responding to Thackeray's offer to Gadkari t

Uddhav, Sharad Pawar factions slam govt over Arun Goel's resignation

A day after Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed the Election Commission of India is no longer an autonomous watchdog, but works as an extended branch of the ruling BJP. The opposition NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar said Goel's sudden resignation ahead of the Lok Sabha polls appeared suspicious. Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar's retirement in February next year. "Whether the ECI exists or not, it has no meaning especially after how it has given orders under BJP's pressure in the cases of Shiv Sena and NCP splits, completely in violation of the 10th schedule," Raut claimed while talking to reporters. "The ECI is not the autonomous watchdog it used to be in the time of TN Seshan, but works as an ..

Highlights of the day: Naidu-Pawan Kalyan seal alliance with BJP

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Sena Vs Sena: SC questions speaker's verdict, summons original records

The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the use of legislative majority test by Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar while deciding that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction was the real Shiv Sena, and summoned the original records relating to the disqualification row from the speaker's office. Hearing a plea of the Uddhav Thackeray faction against the speaker's order declaring the Shinde bloc as the "real political party" after the split in the Shiv Sena in June 2022, the top court also took note of the claim of senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the group led by the chief minister, about "forgery" in some relevant documents. The original records shall be summoned from the office of the adjudicating authority (speaker), said the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, and fixed the Thackeray faction's plea for hearing on April 8. The bench said it was keeping open the issue of maintainability of the

PM condoles demise of ex-Maha CM Manohar Joshi, recalls his contribution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed pain at the death of former Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi and recalled his contribution in various capacities. He will be remembered for his diligence as a legislator too, the prime minister said. Modi wrote on X, "He was a veteran leader who spent years in public service and held various responsibilities at the municipal, state and national level. As Maharashtra CM, he worked tirelessly for the state's progress. He also made noteworthy contributions as a Union Minister." During his tenure as the Lok Sabha speaker, Modi said, Joshi strove to make parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative. "Manohar Joshi Ji will also be remembered for his diligence as a legislator, having had the honour of serving in all four legislatures.Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," he said. Joshi, 86, passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday, where he was admitted following a cardiac arrest.

Former Maha CM Manohar Joshi passes away after suffering cardiac arrest

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday, where he was admitted after suffering a cardiac arrest. The former Maharashtra chief minister was admitted in the ICU of P D Hinduja Hospital here on Wednesday and breathed his last at the private medical facility, family sources said. Joshi (86), was severely ill, the hospital had said in a statement on Thursday. The Shiv Sena stalwart was admitted to the same hospital in May last year after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Joshi served as chief minister from 1995 to 1999 and was the first leader from the undivided Shiv Sena to occupy the top post in the state. He was also elected as a Member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

Maha lagging behind other states in development under Shinde govt: Aaditya

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday alleged Maharashtra is lagging behind other states in development under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He flagged the alleged lack of employment and the flight of industries to Gujarat to target the state government. Aaditya, son of Uddhav Thackeray, visited various shakhas (party branches) of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Thane city, the stronghold of CM Shinde. Addressing a gathering of Shiv Sena (UBT) workers, Aaditya mimicked Shinde's style of speaking. He claimed Shinde, then a cabinet minister, had come to Matoshree, the residence of the Thackerays, on May 22, 2022, and cried over the shoulders of the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. "Shinde urged Uddhavji to save him from the BJP and told him that the BJP will implicate him in cases and put him in jail," Aaditya claimed. Taking a dig, Aaditya said Shinde now has everything but still he keeps crying, an apparent reference to the chief minister getting emotional during a speech ...

Maharashtra lagging behind others in development under Shinde govt: Aaditya

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday alleged Maharashtra is lagging behind other states in development under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He flagged the alleged lack of employment and the flight of industries to Gujarat to target the state government. Aaditya, son of Uddhav Thackeray, visited various shakhas (party branches) of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Thane city, the stronghold of CM Shinde. "Unemployment is rising but industries are being shifted to Gujarat. This government is neglecting common citizens while prioritizing self-interest," he said. Aaditya mocked Shinde for his "emotional response" to certain political developments and said the latter betrayed Uddhav. "Shinde is a failure as a Shiv Sainik as well as a human being. Under his leadership, Maharashtra is lagging behind in progress and development," the former cabinet minister said. He recalled the old association of Shiv Sainiks from Thane with his grandparents Bal Thackeray and Meenatai. "Betrayers have le

BJP not confident of winning more than 200 LS seats, alleges Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party was running a "political brothel" in Maharashtra and was solely responsible for polluting the state's culture. In his column 'Rokthok' in the Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit's mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Rajya Sabha MP said the BJP was not confident of winning more than 200 Lok Saha seats and cited the induction of leaders like Ashok Chavan, a former Congress chief minister. "Maharashtra was once famed for the staunch support for progressive and modern thoughts in politics. BJP is solely responsible for changing the image of the state, which is now known for political switch overs, and decline in its culture,"Raut alleged. "BJP leaders like Devendra Fadnavis and (former MP) Kirit Somaiya were once harsh critics of Chavan. They levelled serious allegations against him. But now Fadnavis was present when Chavan joined the BJP. Fadnavis had once called Chavan a 'dealer'. Now, the state's deputy chief minister has to

Ex-min Baban Gholap resigns from Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of LS, state polls

Former Maharashtra minister Baban Gholap resigned from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday, ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. Gholap, who represented the Nashik Road-Deolali assembly constituency for five consecutive terms, had in September last year resigned as the deputy leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) but it was not accepted. In a one-line letter to Thackeray on Thursday, Gholap said he has resigned from the post of 'Shiv Sainik'. He posted the letter on X. He has not yet disclosed plans about his future political journey. Gholap was apparently unhappy over being removed as the party's liaison chief for the Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency last year and former MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure joining the Sena (UBT). As the liaison chief for Shirdi Lok Sabha seat and an influential leader from the region, he was hopeful of getting a ticket from there in the upcoming general elections, but that might not materialise with Wakchaure's entry, according t

Maha to sell sand online on 'no profit no loss' under new scheme: Minister

The Maharashtra government has decided to sell sand online on a "no profit no loss" basis, a move that will enable people to buy the key construction material at a cheaper rate and curb illegal sand mining, revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said. During the state cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Vikhe Patil proposed changes in the sand mining policy in the state. Accordingly, it was decided to sell sand online on a "no profit no loss" basis, Vikhe Patil said after the cabinet meeting. The change in the policy will also help curb illegal mining of sand, its transportation and storage, he said. The minister said under the earlier policy, there were cases of irregularities and criminal activities, alluding the attacks by sand miners on government officials. Under the new scheme, tenders will be invited for management of mining of sand, its transportation and construction of sand mining depots. It will also enable setting up of a technical committee under tehsildar to monitor th

Maharashtra politics: Congress, MVA eye stronger comeback ahead of LS polls

Ashok Chavan on Tuesday announced his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party asserting to work for the "constructive development of Maharashtra"

Return 50% of tax amount paid by Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray to Centre

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray has said the Centre should return 50 per cent of the funds collected from Maharashtra as taxes for the development of the state. Speaking at a local event in Mumbai on Sunday, the former Maharashtra chief minister also referred to the recent protest rallies held in New Delhi by southern states like Karnataka and Kerala over similar demands. Thackeray claimed that when Maharashtra sends Re 1 to the Centre as tax, it gets back only seven paise (Re 1= 100 paise). "What happens to the remaining amount? What kind of revadis (freebies) you distribute?" he asked. "I am stating that when Maharashtra gives you Re 1, give us half of it back to develop the state. You are looting our state. When we (opposition INDIA bloc) come to power, I will assert on changing the current tax-sharing formula to increase Maharashtra's share," Thackeray said. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also took a dig at "Modi ki Guarantee" commitment of the central government, claim

We've support of 225 MLAs: Ajit Pawar on Oppn's demand to dismiss Maha govt

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said the state government has the backing of 225 MLAs in the 288-member assembly, amid the opposition's demand to dismiss the Eknath Shinde-led government over the law and order situation. Speaking at an event on Saturday in Mumbai where Congress leader Baba Siddique joined the Nationalist Congress Party led by him, Pawar said no such demand was made after the 26/11 terrorist attacks here, when a Congress-led coalition was in power in Maharashtra. "The opposition today demanded dismissal of the government. Our Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance) has the support of 225 MLAs," he said. "Attempts are being made by some people to create an atmosphere of fear that there is a breakdown of law and order in the state....when the 26/11 terrorist attacks took place, no such demand was made," Pawar said. He, however, also said that he was not defending or justifying the recent incidents of violence over which the opposition has trained its gu

Dismiss Maharashtra govt, impose President's rule: Uddhav Thackerey

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded the dismissal of the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, targeting it over the law and order situation in the state. Addressing a press conference here, he also demanded that President's rule be imposed in the state and fresh polls be conducted. "We demand dismissal of the Maharashtra government," Thackeray said, citing law and order situation in the state after a leader of his party was shot dead in Dahisar on Thursday evening. The former chief minister also accused the state government of protecting mobsters. Former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar (40), son of Sena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar, was shot dead during a Facebook Live by local businessman and social activist Mauris Noronha on Thursday evening. Noronha later killed himself, police said. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ganpat Gaikwad shot and injured a local leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena at a police station in Ulhasnagar near Mumbai

HM Shah should oversee law & order situation in Maha, says Sena (UBT) MP

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday sought urgent intervention by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the law and order situation in Maharashtra in the wake of the murder of a party leader in Mumbai. In a letter to Shah, Chaturvedi referred to the murder of local Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar on Thursday, and an incident earlier this month in neighbouring Thane district where a BJP MLA opened fire inside a police station. "I implore you to urgently intervene in the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra before irreparable harm is inflicted upon its residents," the Rajya Sabha member said in the letter. The once-vibrant city of Mumbai, renowned for trade and commerce, is now marred by escalating crime, violence and gunfire, Chaturvedi said. The rampant use of firearms to intimidate innocent civilians and public representatives has plunged the state into a perpetual state of fear and insecurity, she added. Former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar ..

Detailed probe to be conducted into murder of Sena (UBT) leader: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday described the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar during a Facebook Live' as wrong and unfortunate and assured that a detailed probe will be conducted to find out what led to the crime. A viral video of the incident, which took place at assailant Mauris Noronha's office in IC Colony in the northern suburb of Borivali (West) on Thursday evening, showed Ghosalkar being shot in the abdomen and shoulder. Within moments, Noronha also killed himself. The probe has been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch. It was wrong and unfortunate. Such incidents should not happen in the state. The conversation between the two during the live-streaming seemed friendly. Looking at the conversation, their relationship also looked cordial, Pawar told reporters in Pune. A detailed investigation needs to be done about what exactly had happened between them, he said. Abhishek (40), son of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar, a loyalist of the

Mumbai Police detains one person after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader shot dead

Mumbai Police detained a person in connection to the kiling of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar in full public glare in Mumbai's Dahisar on Thursday.According to the police, the accused has been identified as Mehul.The police also informed that after the investigation of the incident spot, which continued for 7 hours, the police recovered a pistol, a live cartridge, and CCTV footage.Ghosalkar was shot dead by a lone assailant, whom the police identified as Mauris Noronha, in the Dahisar area. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.Later, the assailant, Noronha, too, shot himself dead, according to the police.The police said that a case has also been registered against deceased Mauris under section 302 of the IPC, Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act, Section 37 (1) (A), and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.Meanwhile, the Crime Branch on Friday claimed a rivalry between the victim and his assailant in connection to the Dahisar firing ...