Mumbai Diary | Congress to get new Maha party prez soon

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with the Gandhi family, has reportedly shortlisted a few names for the next Maharashtra party chief. The prominent names circulating include MLC Satej Patil and Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh. Both Patil and Deshmukh have requested time to consider their interest in the position. The fact that the party is not in power is seen as a deterrent, making leaders hesitant to pursue this top state party position. Responsibility of managing the office and rejuvenating a party that suffered significant losses in the assembly polls will heavily weigh on whoever takes on this role. Despite huge mandate, Mahayuti on knife edge Despite winning a significant mandate in the state Assembly, Mahayuti faces a major challenge in running the government smoothly. Accommodating numerous aspirants and addressing concerns of disgruntled ministers and MLAs has led CM Fadnavis to create the role of co-guardian minister for three districts. Typically, each district has one guardian minister; however, this time, the CM appointed two guardian ministers for each of the following districts: Kolhapur, Gadchiroli, and Mumbai suburbs. This decision came as a necessity to appease the alliance partners. Public bearing brunt of ministers absence The Mantralaya has taken on a deserted and forlorn appearance, as many ministers seem to prefer working from the comfort of their homes instead of being present in the office, which is causing inconvenience for the public. Most ministers work remotely after attending cabinet meetings. CM Devendra Fadnaviss directive during a cabinet meeting stating that ministers should be present in their respective offices for at least three days a week to sign files and meet with the public has not made a significant impact. The CM said they can spend the remaining days in their constituencies and attend programs in other locations. Sudhir Suryawanshi Our correspondent in Maharashtra suryawanshi.sudhir@gmail.com

Shaktipeeth Expressway: 802-KM Link to Boost Nagpur-Goa Link - All You Need To Know

The Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, an 802-kilometer-long six-lane corridor, is all set to transform travel between Nagpur and Goa. Developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), this project will cut down travel time from the current 18-20 hours to just 8-10 hours, revolutionizing connectivity across the state. The expressway will pass through 12 districts, linking key pilgrimage centers while driving tourism, economic growth, and infrastructure development. Route and Districts Covered The expressway begins at Pavnar in Wardha district and ends at Patradevi on the Maharashtra-Goa border, passing through 12 districts, including Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, and Sindhudurg. By offering a faster, more convenient route, the expressway is expected to enhance regional tourism and economic activities. Connecting Pilgrimage Sites and Growth A standout feature of this expressway is its ability to connect significant spiritual destinations. Stretching from Wardha to Sindhudurg, it will provide easier access to famous pilgrimage spots, such as Tuljapur near Solapur, Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur, and Patra Devi, promoting spiritual tourism while fostering economic development. This linkage between cultural heritage and progress will not only benefit devotees but also boost regional industries. Villages Along the Route The expressway will pass through several villages, including Sangavade, Sangavadewadi, Halasavade, Nerli, Vikaswadi, Kaneriwadi, Kaneri, Kogil Budruk, and Khebwade. By integrating rural areas into the expressway's network, the project is expected to open up new economic opportunities for these regions and improve the standard of living for local communities. Cost and Scale of the Project The total cost of the Shaktipeeth Expressway is estimated to be Rs.86,000 crore. Once completed, this highway will become one of Indias longest, surpassing the 701-kilometer Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway. Beyond its sheer size, the project symbolizes the connection between Maharashtra's cultural heritage and its vision for economic advancement. Challenges and Progress Despite facing challenges, the project is moving forward steadily. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has prioritized land acquisition to ensure the project's timely progress. Modeled after the Samruddhi Expressway, this initiative highlights the state governments commitment to reducing travel times and improving infrastructure. The Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway is more than just a road. It represents a new chapter of connectivity, offering a bridge between tradition and modernity, and unlocking new opportunities for millions of people across Maharashtra. A Vision for Maharashtra's Prosperity The Mahayuti government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has introduced an expressway that stands as more than just a transportation route, represents progress and unity. By linking important Shaktipeeths and cutting down travel time, this initiative is expected to boost spiritual tourism and drive economic development. Moreover, the project reflects the government's dedication to balancing infrastructure advancements with environmental and social accountability. The Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway symbolizes a brighter and more connected future for Maharashtra. Prioritizing improved accessibility while protecting the environment, this venture is poised to become a milestone in India's journey toward modern infrastructure development.

Maharashtra to set up innovation city

Mumbai :Maharashtra will set up an Innovation City similar to the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to nurture the startup ecosystem in the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday. Just as Gujarats GIFT City has been developed, we aim to build the Innovation City in Maharashtra. The new Innovation City will serve as a dedicated hub for technology and innovation, providing a fertile environment for start-ups, particularly those in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), Fadnavis said while speaking at the National Startup Day programme organised by the State Innovation Society under the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The Maharashtra CM highlighted Maharashtras achievements saying the state is home to over 25,000 start-ups and continues to lead in both investment and valuation within the countrys start-up ecosystem. He added that the state is planning to finalise a new startup policy in the next two months, which would be opened to the public for consultation and comments. The state government has circulated a draft start-up policy seeking suggestions from the entrepreneurs. We are implementing a campaign in which women will be in all positions in startups. Maharashtra is the first state in the country to have the highest number of women directors, the CM said. Citing a report of the Union government, he stated that Maharashtras cities Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have been instrumental in sustaining the states dominant position. Mumbai and Pune have a conducive environment for starting industries. Mumbai is at the forefront of funding, while Pune is a hub of technology and innovation. Our Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are contributing greatly to the development of Maharashtra. Cities like Nashik, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Kolhapur are encouraging startups and creating an ecosystem, said Fadnavis. The CM also announced a series of initiatives to support start-ups across Maharashtra, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), to establish a Rs 100 crore fund. This fund, unlike before when it was used solely in Mumbai, will now see Rs 30 crore allocated to each revenue division, ensuring every divisional centre also benefits, Fadnavis said.

Shakti Kapoor 'begged' Shraddha Kapoor's mom Shivangi Kolhapure to quit career, become housewife: 'Told her my work...'

Shivangi Kolhapure is a member of a well-known Marathi family. Her sister is singer and actor Padmini Kolhapure and the late legendary singer, Lata Mangeshkar, was also one of her relatives.

Young Man Killed By Underage 'Reels' Goons With Razor And Knife In Kolhapur

The police cracked the case within three hours, arresting seven individuals, including two minors. Investigations revealed the murder was driven by an old enmity

PIL challenging withdrawal of Thackeray governments MLC recommendations dismissed

Mumbai: In a major setback to the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, the Bombay high court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the former Maharashtra Governor B.S. Koshyaris September 2022 decision to withdraw 12 MLC nominations recommended by the then chief minister Thackeray-led MVA govt.The PIL filed by Shiv Sena (UBT) member and former Kolhapur corporator Sunil Modi. A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Atul Borkar held that the petition was misconceived and liable to be dismissed. Sunil Modi had filed the PIL in July 2023 after Mr. Koshyari accepted the then Eknath Shinde-led governments decision to withdraw the 12 MLC nominations, which were recommended by the Thackeray government in November 2020. On October 7, the high court had reserved its judgment in the matter. Before concluding the hearing and reserving its judgment, the high court had questioned whether the petition had lost its efficacy in light of the petitioners submission that the governor was bound to accept the advice of the council of ministers. Now that the recommendations have been withdrawn, isnt the governor bound by the said decision? the bench had remarked. Interestingly, Mr. Modi has also challenged the current Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnans approval to the new list of seven MLCs recommended by former chief minister Eknath Shinde just before the announcement of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. In the petition, he has argued that the Governor could not have approved these names while the courts judgment was pending on the withdrawal of the earlier list.

Against niece's marriage, man poisons wedding feast

A man allegedly gate-crashed his niece's wedding reception in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district and mixed poison in the food prepared for guests as he was against her marriage, police said on Wednesday.

Maharashtra Man Gatecrashes Niece's Wedding Party, Mixes Poison In Food

A man allegedly gate-crashed his niece's wedding reception in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district and mixed poison in the food prepared for guests as he was against her marriage, police said on Wednesday.

Maharashtra Man Declared 'Dead', Speed Breaker Shakes Him Back To Life

A resident of Kasaba-Bawada in western Maharashtras Kolhapur district, suffered a heart attack and was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Man declared dead by doctors in Maharashtra's Kolhapur, wakes up as ambulance crosses speed breaker

KOLHAPUR: For 65-year-old Pandurang Ulpe, a speed breaker proved to be a life-saver after an ambulance carrying his ody from the hospital crossed it and his family noticed his fingers moving. Earlier in the day on December 16, Ulpe, a resident of Kasaba-Bawada in western Maharashtra's Kolhapur district, suffered a heart attack and was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead. An ambulance then began the journey with his 'body' from the hospital to his home, where neighbours and relatives had gathered upon hearing the news of his demise, and were preparing for his last rites. When we were bringing his 'body' home from the hospital, the ambulance passed over a speed breaker and we noticed that there was a movement in his fingers, his wife said. He was then taken back to another hospital, where he remained for a fortnight, and underwent an angioplasty during the period, a family member said. Ulpe walked home from the hospital on Monday, a fortnight after the ambulance passed over the speed breaker, taking him back to life instead of the crematorium. Narrating the sequence of the events of December 16, Ulpe, a warkari (devotee of Lord Vitthal) said, I had come home from a walk and was sitting after sipping tea. I felt dizzy and breathless. I went to the bathroom and vomited. I don't remember what happened afterwards, including who took me to the hospital. There has been no comment so far from the hospital which had declared him dead.

Kolhapur man walks home fortnight after doctors declare him dead

A 65-year-old man, Pandurang Ulpe, experienced a miraculous survival after a speed breaker became a life-saver. On December 16, Ulpe, a resident of Kasaba-Bawada in western Maharashtra's Kolhapur district, suffered a heart attack and was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead. An ambulance began transporting his ody from the hospital to his home, where relatives and neighbors had gathered for his last rites. However, when the ambulance crossed a speed breaker, his family noticed a movement in his fingers. His wife recalled, When we were bringing his 'body' home from the hospital, the ambulance passed over a speed breaker, and we noticed that there was a movement in his fingers. Ulpe was then rushed back to another hospital, where he remained for two weeks and underwent an angioplasty. A fortnight later, he walked out of the hospital on Monday, defying death and returning home instead of proceeding to the crematorium. Ulpe, a warkari (devotee of Lord Vitthal), recalled, I had come home from a walk and was sitting after sipping tea. I felt dizzy and breathless. I went to the bathroom and vomited. I don't remember what happened afterwards, including who took me to the hospital. The hospital that declared him dead has not yet commented on the incident.

Man standing on local train footboard dies after his head hits track pole

MUMBAI: A 24-year-old man standing on the footboard of a moving local train died on Wednesday night after his head hit a pole along the railway track near Wadala station in Mumbai, police said. The deceased, Mohan Gholap, was returning to his home in Chembur. He boarded the train at Cotton Green station on the Harbour line. Gholap, accompanied by his friend, was standing on the footboard of the train when his head hit a pole along the tracks after crossing the Wadala bridge, following which he fell on the side of tracks, a Government Railway Police official said. Passengers and his friend immediately pulled the emergency chain. GRP personnel who arrived at the spot found Gholap had sustained severe head injuries. He was declared dead on the spot. Gholap, employed at Indigo Press in Cotton Green, recently returned from Kolhapur after attending his brother's wedding, the official added.

Maharashtra to review good governance data after flaws exposed

Mumbai: A day after The Asian Age reported the flaws in Maharashtra District Good Governance Index (DGGI) 2024 report, the Maharashtra government on Saturday swung into action to rectify the report. The state government has also suspended its website, namely https://dggi.maharashtra.gov.in, where the report was published. The Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), an arm of the planning department of the state government, has called a meeting of the officials to remove errors from the data. A senior official of the state government said that they are verifying the data, which led to the suspension of the website. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday released the DGGI report, which is riddled with inaccurate data. The report is based on 161 benchmarks across 10 development sectors, namely Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Public Health, Public Infrastructure and Utilities, Economic Governance, Commerce and Industry, Social Development, Judiciary and Public Safety, Human Resource Development, Citizen Centric Governance and Environment. As per the data in the report, the total cultivated area under crop insurance in Kolhapur district in Rabi season was 4,30,067.06 hectares, which is 22 times more than the total cultivated area in Kolhapur district. Flaws can be observed in the data as each sector in the report contains a 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial year's data, which can't reflect the actual position of 2023-24. According to the sources, the actual crop insurance was taken for five percent of the total cultivated/sowing area in Kolhapur district. The senior official said that the website has been suspended on the instructions of the state government officials. Were under maintenance! Our website is currently undergoing maintenance. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. Please check back later, reads the website, if it is accessed. An official from the DES said, We have called a meeting on holiday to conduct a verification of the data on the instruction of the state government. Officials said that the DES has sought reports from various departments to conduct a verification of the data, which were earlier provided by respective departments. It will be matched with existing data and make corrections wherever is needed, the officials said. The senior official said that there is always a scope of improvement in the existing system. The report will help to bring more transparency in the governance. We will soon publish a revised report after making a correction in it, he said. An official from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) said that the report is likely to be updated by next week.

Fadnavis releases Good governance report riddled with inaccurate data

Mumbai: The Maharashtra District Good Governance Index (DGGI) 2024 report, which was released by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis with much fanfare on Thursday, is riddled with inaccurate data. As per the data, the total cultivated area under crop insurance in Rabi season is 4,30,067.06 hectares, which is 22 times more than the total cultivated area in the district. Similarly, in at least 10 other districts, the area under insurance is more than the cultivated area. While releasing the report, Mr. Fadnavis said that it also reflects the scope of governance according to various sectoral benchmarks. However, a senior government officer said that the data given in the report, like the section about crop insurance and district revenue, does not give the real picture. For example, the total cultivated area in the Rabi Season in Kolhapur district is only 18,813.0 hectares. It means that the crop Insurance cover was taken for the 2286 per cent of the total cultivated area. Other districts such as Jalana, Beed, Parbhani, Dharashiv, Washim, Akola, Yavatmal and Nanded also have area under the insurance cover more than 100 per cent of the total cultivated area. Moreover, the report has used the data of revenue income from the fiscal year 2021-22, instead of last year. Interestingly, the Raigad district has surpassed Mumbai city and suburbs in revenue growth, the report says. The DGGI is based on 161 benchmarks across 10 development sectors, namely Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Public Health, Public Infrastructure and Utilities, Economic Governance, Commerce and Industry, Social Development,Judiciary and Public Safety, Human Resource Development, Citizen Centric Governance and Environment. Flaws can be observed in the data as each sector in the DGGI report contains a 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial year's data, which can't reflect the actual position of 2023-24, the officer said. Even the figures revenue growth of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) did not match with the revenue growth shown in the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 of the DGGI 2024 report. As per the report, Mumbai citys revenue was shown Rs 25,956 crore for the year 2021-22, Mumbai suburbs revenue was also shown the exact same. But the actual revenue of the BMC, which is the municipal body for both Mumbai city and suburbs, reported Rs 39,764.82 crore in the year 2021-22, an official said. A senior official from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) told this newspaper that they have also raised a query with the Commissionerate of Agriculture, Pune how the area covered by the Crop Insurance is for more than the cultivated area. However, they have not received any response even after two weeks. Interestingly, the DES decided to publish the report with erroneous data. We have just uploaded the data as shared by the Commissionerate of Agriculture. Once we get the clarification from them, we will make a correction in it, the senior official said.

MahaYuti in Maha slugfest over guardian ministry

MUMBAI: After cabinet expansions and portfolio allocations, a slugfest is on among MahaYuti alliance partners over getting the guardian ministry of districts in Maharashtra. A guardian minister is the de facto head of a district. The person also decides allocations of development funds in district planning committees. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde wants the guardian ministry of Thane. The other DCM, Ajit Pawar, eyes Pune. But the BJP wants to retain both districts. In Maharashtra, the guardian ministries of metro cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Nagpur, Kolhapur, are sought after. The Beed district, which came into limelight after the murder of Massajog village Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, is also in demand. NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, hailing from there, wants it. So does BJP minister Pankaja Munde. BJP MLAs from Beed have since asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to accept the guardian ministry so that no Munde gets it. Aware of the jostling, Fadnavis on Tuesday hinted no one should take for granted that ministers will get guardian ministries of their choice. Sources said Fadnavis wants to see no one will dominate any district. In Thane, DCM Eknath Shinde is eager to get guardian ministry, but BJP is also pushing for its minister Ganesh Naik so that the party will control Thane and cut to size Shindes dominance. The ministry can be used to expand the party base for electoral reasons. Beed district in demand The Beed district, which came into limelight after the murder of Massajog village Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, is also in demand. NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, hailing from there, wants the district and so does BJP minister Pankaja Munde.

Mali touched my heart: Padmini Kolhapure

Dehradun, Dec 22 (PTI) Bollywood actress Padmini Kolhapure sat among the public here on Sunday and watched the film Mali, made on the theme of environment and mental health, and said it touched her heart. Interacting with the audience after a special screening of the film held at the Silver City multiplex here, Kolhapure said, []

Sonali Bendre, Anil Kapoor, David Dhawan & More At Jeetendra-Shobha Kapoors 50th Anniversary

Jeetendra and his wife Shobha Kapoor celebrated their golden 50th wedding anniversary in grand style last evening! Bollywoods finest, including Sonali Bendre, Anil Kapoor, Padmini Kolhapure, David Dhawan, and more, joined the celebration. Watch the video for more! bollywood news | entertainment news live | latest bollywood news | bollywood | news18 | n18oc_moviesLiked the video? Please press the thumbs up icon and leave a comment. Subscribe to Showsha YouTube channel and never miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHOWSHAIndiaFollow Showsha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showsha_/Follow Showsha on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/showshaFollow Showsha on X: https://x.com/news18showshaFollow Showsha on Snapchat: https://snapchat.com/t/6YeotZeyMore entertainment and lifestyle news and updates on:https://www.news18.com/entertainment

Raj Kapoors Heroine Padmini Kolhapure Shares A Special Memory From 'Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara' Shoot

Cine & TV artists Association(CINTAA) is gearing up to commemorate the centenary of the legendary Shri Raj Kapoor with an enchanting musical evening on December 18. Ahead of the grand event, his heroines, Padmini Kolhapure and Poonam Dhillon came together to talk about the special event and his contributions to Indian cinema. Watch the video for more. bollywood news | entertainment news live | latest bollywood news | bollywood | news18 | n18oc_moviesLiked the video? Please press the thumbs up icon and leave a comment. Subscribe to Showsha YouTube channel and never miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHOWSHAIndiaFollow Showsha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showsha_/Follow Showsha on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/showshaFollow Showsha on X: https://x.com/news18showshaFollow Showsha on Snapchat: https://snapchat.com/t/6YeotZeyMore entertainment and lifestyle news and updates on:https://www.news18.com/entertainment

Marathi activists try to stop Karnataka MLA from entering Kolhapur temple

They say they are doing it to protest against the Siddaramaiah govt.s decision not to allow MES Maha Melava in Belagavi

CBI arrests Indian bank panel advocate in Kolhapur for accepting Rs 1.70 lakh bribe

The central agency stated that the arrest was made on Tuesday. The advocate had initially sought a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh, which was later negotiated down to Rs 1.80 lakh, in exchange for deferring the possession of a mortgaged property under the SARFAESI Act. The accused was caught red-handed during a trap laid by the CBI at his office.

Tejashwi Yadav, Sharad Pawar Back Mamata for I.N.D.I.A. Head

KOLKATA: Days after Trinamul supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was ready to head the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, to prominent leaders of the Opposition grouping appeared to say that they had no objections to the proposal. Senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said he has no objection to any senior leader of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, including Mamata Banerjee, leading the coalition, but stressed that the decision must be reached through consensus. I.N.D.I.A. hasn't thought on this matter and there has to be a discussion involving all stakeholders, he said in Kolkata. We have no issue with Mamata Banerjee leading the bloc, but keeping in mind there are so many senior politicians in the the anti-BJP coalition, there's a need to sit together and take a collective decision on choosing a leader, he said. In Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar supported Mamata Banerjee's statement, telling reporters in Kolhapur on Saturday that the Trinamul chief was a capable leader and has the right to show her intent to head the opposition alliance. The MPs she has sent to Parliament are hardworking and aware. Meanwhile, the Trinamul Congress raised the pitch with party MP Kirti Azad saying Mamata Banerjee was the most suitable for the job as she was the only leader who had repeatedly defeated the BJP. In an interview to a news channel on Friday, Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc and indicated her readiness to take charge of the alliance if given an opportunity. She said she could manage the dual responsibility of running the opposition front while continuing her role as Chief Minister of West Bengal. Her statement comes at a time when voices of discontent have emerged within the opposition INDIA bloc following the recent electoral setbacks for the Congress, including in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra. Senior leaders, including the seniormost Sharad Pawar ji, have also said Mamata Banerjee should be made the leader of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, Azad said. There is a need for change. Mamata Banerjee is the only leader who has repeatedly defeated the BJP and Modi ji, and in the recent byelections in West Bengal, BJP was thrown out of Bengal. She has a lot of experience, she herself said she has created the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, and she has said that she is ready to lead the bloc if she gets an opportunity. She has been an MP, Union minister, and since 2011 the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Azad said. It is time to make Mamata Banerjee leader of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. With her experience she is the most suitable for this job, he added.

Mamata is a capable leader, says Pawar on her willingness to head INDIA bloc

MUMBAI, Dec 8: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has supported West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees statement expressing her willingness to take charge of the INDIA bloc. Talking to reporters in Kolhapur on Saturday, Pawar said the Trinamool Congress chief is a capable leader and has the right to show her intent to head the opposition alliance. Earlier this week, Banerjee said she could manage the dual responsibility of running the opposition front while continuing her role as [] The post Mamata is a capable leader, says Pawar on her willingness to head INDIA bloc appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

MVA need not fret over poll defeat; people not enthused by Mahayuti victory: Sharad Pawar

KOLHAPUR: NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the Opposition should not lose heart over its rout but go back to the people who do not seem to be enthused by the massive victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti in the Maharashtra elections. The Opposition's priority would be to ensure that all the election promises made by the ruling alliance, including increasing the financial assistance to women under the Ladki Bahin scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, are implemented at the earliest, he said. Pawar said a comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls was surprising. It is true that we have been defeated. We should not fret over it but go back to the people, as no enthusiasm is visible among the people about the election results. There is a lot of resentment, the senior politician said at a press conference here. After Maharashtra poll debacle, defeated MVA candidates to seek verification of EVM-VVPAT units The ruling BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance won 230 out of 288 seats in the November 20 elections. The Opposition's strength in the assembly is low, but many young Opposition MLAs will show their mettle after a couple of sessions, Pawar said. To a question on Samajwadi Party's state chief Abu Asim Azmi announcing that his party was pulling out of the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance after the Shiv Sena (UBT) hailed, in a newspaper advertisement, those who demolished the Babri Masjid, Pawar sought to play down the development. The central leadership of the Akhilesh Yadav-led party was of the firm view that the Opposition's unity is necessary, he said. Opposition parties can not demand that a Leader of Opposition must be appointed as they do not have the required numbers, Pawar said. None of the Opposition parties, including Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP), Congress or Sena (UBT) individually, have the minimum 29 MLAs en per cent of the assembly's strength to be eligible for the post. Pawar, however, noted that in the 1980s, when his own party was reduced to just six MLAs following defections, he still became the Leader of the Opposition for a year, followed by Mrinal Gore and Nihal Ahmed as the Opposition decided to rotate the post. To a question about the row over a wad of Rs 500 notes being found in the Rajya Sabha, Pawar, himself a member of the Upper House, said there should be a probe as to how the bundle made its way to the seat of an MP (Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi) who is an established and renowned lawyer. Pawar said the comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in Maharashtra assembly polls was surprising. Congress polled 80 lakh votes and won 15 seats while Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena bagged 79 lakh votes and emerged victorious on 57 seats, he said. Ajit Pawar's NCP polled 58 lakh votes and won 41 seats, whereas the NCP (SP) secured 72 lakh votes and won only ten seats, he said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that as a senior leader, Pawar shouldn't mislead the country. You will come out of this if you accept defeat. I expect you to give your colleagues advice on introspection, he stated on X. , @PawarSpeaks , . ? 2024 , 1,49,13,914 9, 96,41,856 13. 73,77,674 7 Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 7, 2024 Fadnavis said BJP polled 1,49,13,914 votes and bagged nine seats in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections, whereas Congress polled 96,41,856 votes and bagged 13 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) got 73,77,674 votes and won 7 seats, while NCP (SP) polled 58,51,166 votes and won 8 constituencies, he said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress polled 87,92,237 votes and won only one seat while the undivided NCP secured 83,87,363 votes but won 4 seats, he added. Maharashtra polls: What went wrong for the MVA?

No enthusiasm seen among people after Mahayutis massive victory: Sharad Pawar

Kolhapur, Dec 7 (PTI) NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday claimed that no enthusiasm or overt joy was visible among the people of Maharashtra after the BJP-led Mahayuti coalitions landslide victory in the November 20 assembly elections. Speaking at a press conference at Kolhapur in western Maharashtra, Pawar said the Opposition need not worry, but it should go back to the people after the setback. The Oppositions Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance will work to ensure that the government kept all its pre-poll promises including increasing the financial assistance for women under the Ladki Bahin scheme to Rs 2,100 from

No enthusiasm seen among people after Mahayuti's massive victory: Sharad Pawar

The NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar was speaking at a press conference at Kolhapur in western Maharashtra.

Inconsistencies in postal ballots and EVM results in Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA

Mumbai : Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai on Monday claimed the trends in postal ballots and EVM results of the Maharashtra assembly polls appear inconsistent, raising doubts about the integrity of the EVM system. Sardesai, who defeated NCP's Zeeshan Siddique to win the Vandre East assembly seat in the debut contest, also claimed a suspicious spike in voter turnout during the final two hours of polling and demanded a reply from the Election Commission. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Sardesai claimed statistical anomalies were observed in the Election Commission's official data, and called for greater transparency and accountability. While I am not making direct allegations, the data raises several doubts that must be addressed, he said. He said that postal ballots, which largely represent soldiers, senior citizens, essential service workers, and government employees, generally align with the overall voter sentiment in their constituencies. Trends in postal ballots were consistent with EVM results in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections (when MVA won 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra). However, in the assembly elections, a striking divergence was observed, Sardesai said. For example, the Maha Vikas Aghadi was leading in 31 constituencies through postal ballots, while the BJP-led Mahayuti was ahead in 16 constituencies. Yet, the final EVM results showed the MVA securing only 46 seats, while the Mahayuti tally surged to 230 seats (in assembly polls), he said. Sardesai further claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray received 874 postal votes and 62,450 EVM votes in the Worli constituency in Mumbai, while his opponent Milind Deora got 522 postal votes and 54,001 EVM votes. According to Sardesai, this pattern extended beyond the Shiv Sena (UBT). Congress leader Nana Patole was ahead by 54 per cent in postal ballots but saw a sharp 12.7 per cent drop in EVM counts, he said. Similarly, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil, who had 70 per cent of postal votes, experienced an 18 per cent decline in EVM results, Sardesai said, adding that this trend was never observed in previous elections. He also mentioned Kolhapur South, Tivsa, and Ghatkopar East constituencies where MVA candidates leading in postal ballots saw significant drops in EVM counts. How is it possible that in almost every case, MVA candidates experienced a 5 to 15 per cent decline in votes from postal to EVM results, while Mahayuti candidates saw an equivalent rise? This raises serious doubts about the integrity of the EVM system, he said. Sardesai appealed to the Election Commission to address these issues, stating that its primary responsibility is to ensure free and fair elections. Why were the trends seen in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections so dramatically different in the Assembly elections? Any doubts in the electoral process must be resolved to maintain public confidence, he added.

Cyclone Fengal: Maharashtra's Mango, Cashew Farmers Worried As IMD Predicts Rain, Dip In Mercury

Heavy rain is likely in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Satara, and Kolhapur on Wednesday. In addition, districts like Pune, Solapur, Sangli, and parts of Marathwada, including Dharashiv, Latur, and Nanded, may experience rainfall during this period

Sneak Peek of Todays Episode: Catch the culprit - Will Jethalals plan against Dankiwala work?

In the upcoming episode of TMKOC, Jethalal gears up for his crucial meeting with the man behind the fraud. With Bhides help, he transforms into 'Atmaram Tukaram Tawde,' complete with a convincing Marathi look. As the plan inches closer to execution, tensions rise. Will Sundars strategy expose the fraudster? Or will Jethalals disguise fall short of fooling the culprit? Find out tonight at 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM only on Sony SAB TV! Recap of the Previous Episode: Gokuldham society gathers as Sundar arrives with 35 fridges, escalating the tension over Mr. Dankiwala's fraud against Jethalal. Sundar devises a plan to catch the culprit by contacting a dealer who might be linked to Dankiwala. He persuades the dealer to arrange a meeting between Jethalal and Dankiwala's boss. To execute the plan, Jethalal agrees to disguise himself as a Marathi man from Kolhapur, setting the stage for an exciting confrontation.

Three of family dead as car plunges into Krishna River near Maharashtra's Sangli district

SANGLI: Three members of a family were killed after their car plunged into the Krishna river in western Maharashtra's Sangli district in the early hours of Thursday, police said. The accident took place on the Ankali bridge around 12:30 am when two families, the Khedekars and Narvekars, residents of Sangli, were returning after attending a wedding in Kolhapur. There are two bridges on the Krishna river at the spot, an old one and a new one, adjacent to each other. The driver lost control of the car while it was passing through the old bridge and it fell between the two bridges, said a police official. It landed on a dry patch near a bridge pillar, he added. Six severely injured persons were taken to hospital. While Prasad Bhalchandra Khedekar (35), his wife Prerana (36) and Vaishnavi Santosh Narvekar (21) died, Samarjeet Prasad Khedekar (7), Varad Santosh Narvekar (19) and Sakshi Santosh Narvekar (42) were undergoing treatment, the official said.

Three of Family Die as Car Plunges Into Krishna River

Sangli: Three members of a family were killed after their car plunged into the Krishna river in western Maharashtra's Sangli district in the early hours of Thursday, police said.The accident took place on the Ankali bridge around 12.30 am when two families, the Khedekars and Narvekars, residents of Sangli, were returning after attending a wedding in Kolhapur. There are two bridges on the Krishna river at the spot, an old one and a new one, adjacent to each other. The driver lost control of the car while it was passing through the old bridge and it fell between the two bridges, said a police official. It landed on a dry patch near a bridge pillar, he added. Six severely injured persons were taken to hospital. While Prasad Bhalchandra Khedekar (35), his wife Prerana (36) and Vaishnavi Santosh Narvekar (21) died, Samarjeet Prasad Khedekar (7), Varad Santosh Narvekar (19) and Sakshi Santosh Narvekar (42) were undergoing treatment, the official said.

Kolhapur South election results: BJP's Amal Mahadik leads Congress's Ruturaj Patil by 15374 votes

In Maharashtra's Kolhapur South Assembly constituency, BJP's Amal Mahadik is leading against Congress's Ruturaj Patil after 14 rounds of counting. Early results show the BJP leading in 126 seats, while its alliance partner, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is ahead in 54 seats. The NCP is leading in 40 constituencies.

From tribal art to a bit of Kashmir in PMs gift to Brazil, Guyana and Nigeria

NEW DELHI: With his each foreign visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only carries Indias diplomatic agenda but also its rich heritage. Official sources said that in his visits to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana, Modi carried with him gifts from all corners of the country eight from Maharashtra, five from J&K, three each from Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, two from Jharkhand and one each from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, UP, Bihar, Odisha and Ladakh. According to an official statement, the gifts from Maharashtra included Silofar panchamrit kalash (pot) from Kolhapur given to the Nigerian President and Warli paintings to the Brazil President. Natural rough Amethyst with silver camel head on top from Pune was given to Australian PM and a hand-carved silver chess set to the Portugal PM. Modi also gifted an exquisite silver candle stand to the Italy PM and hand-engraved silver fruit bowl to the CARICOM secretary general. In a push to the culture of J&K, Modi gifted a pair of paper-mch gold work vases to the UK PM and Pashmina shawl in papier mache box to the First Lady of Guyana. The gifts from Rajasthan include a silver photo frame given to the Argentina President, marble inlay work to the Norway PM and gold work wooden raj sawari figurine to the Guyana PM. The gifts from Andhra Pradesh include a silver clutch purse given to the spouse of Brazil President and Araku coffee to leaders of CARICOM countries. Sohrai painting from Jharkhands Hazaribagh was given to Nigeria Vice President; and Khovar painting to the Indonesia President. Officials said other gifts include silver and rosewood ceremonial photo frame from UP given to the Chile President, wooden toy train from Karnataka to younger son of Guyana President, and silver filigree art from Cuttack to the Guyana Vice-President.

Maharashtra assembly election: Counting of votes begins

Maharashtra assembly election: Counting of votes beginsCounting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly elections began Saturday morning, 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.The counting of votes commenced at 8 am in all the counting centres in the state, an election official said. At the counting centres, officials first began verifying and counting the postal ballots, with the counting of EVM votes scheduled to start at 8.30 am. There will be a minimum of 20 rounds of counting in each assembly segment, an official said. The final turnout in the polls, held on November 20, was 66.05 per cent, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019. Counting of votes also began at 8 am 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. A total of 288 counting observers are overseeing each assembly constituency, with two observers assigned to monitor counting in the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, an official said. The high volume of postal ballots has led to the establishment of 1,732 tables for postal ballot counting and 592 tables for Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) to ensure a smooth counting process across all assembly constituencies, the official said. In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP contested 149 assembly seats, Shiv Sena 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the MVA combine, the Congress fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) put up 86 candidates. Parties like Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), also contested, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM putting up 17 candidates. The number of candidates this time increased by 28 per cent compared to the 2019 state assembly elections. This year, 4,136 candidates contested, up from 3,239 in 2019 elections. Among these candidates, 2,086 were independents. Rebels were in the fray in over 150 constituencies, with candidates from the Mahayuti and MVA contesting against their party's official nominees. There were 1,00,186 polling booths in Maharashtra this time, compared to 96,654 booths in the 2019 assembly elections. Mumbai police have issued an order prohibiting any assembly of people in 300-metre radius of all the 36 counting centres in the city, which comprises 36 assembly constituencies. No person, other than an official engaged with the election process or public servant engaged in duty, shall loiter or form any assembly within 300 metres radius from any counting centre, a police official said. The order is effective till midnight on November 24. The majority mark in the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly is 145, the number any alliance or party needs to crack to be able to form government in the state. The term of the present state assembly ends on November 26.

Maharashtra assembly election: All Eyes on BJP-led Mahayuti vs MVA Battle

Mumbai: Counting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly elections 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. 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 high volume of postal ballots has led to the establishment of 1,732 tables for postal ballot counting and 592 tables for Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) to ensure a smooth counting process across all assembly constituencies, the official said. In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP contested 149 assembly seats, Shiv Sena 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the opposition's MVA combine, the Congress fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) put up 86 candidates. Parties like Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), also contested, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM putting up 17 candidates. The number of candidates this time increased by 28 per cent compared to the 2019 state assembly elections. This year, 4,136 candidates contested, up from 3,239 in 2019 elections. Among these candidates, 2,086 were independents. Rebels were in the fray in over 150 constituencies, with candidates from the Mahayuti and MVA contesting against their party's official nominees. There were 1,00,186 polling booths in Maharashtra this time, compared to 96,654 booths in the 2019 assembly elections. Mumbai police have issued an order prohibiting any assembly of people in 300-metre radius of all the 36 counting centres in the city, which comprises 36 assembly constituencies. No person, other than an official engaged with the election process or public servant engaged in duty, shall loiter or form any assembly within 300 metres radius from any counting centre, a police official said. The order is effective from 6 am on November 21 till midnight on November 24. Ahead of the counting of votes, a poster in Pune depicting NCP chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar as the next chief minister was put up by a local party worker and was later removed. The majority mark in the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly is 145, the number any alliance or party needs to crack to be able to form government in the state. The term of the present state assembly ends on November 26. While most exit polls predict a victory for the Mahayuti alliance, three suggest that neither the Mahayuti nor the Maha Vikas Aghadi would secure a decisive majority to form the next government in Maharashtra.

Whos got Maha edge? High rural vote count key

MUMBAI: The rise in voting by almost 4% in the Maharashtra assembly elections against the 2019 figures has led the states political adversaries to claim an edge over each other. According to the Election Commission, 65.2% voting took place in Wednesdays polls. The count was 61.4% in 2019. In the Lok Sabha elections, 61.39% polling was reported. The voter turnout in the Assembly polls has turned out the highest in three decades. The state last recorded a higher turnout in 1995, with 71.7%. In Wednesdays voting, 97.02 million voters were eligible to vote across 288 constituencies. Rural areas, known for higher voter engagement, led the way, with the Karvir constituency in Kolhapur topping the charts at 84.79%. Gadchiroli district also recorded voter participation at 73.68%. In contrast, urban centres such as Mumbai recorded 52.07% turnout, while Mumbai Suburban recorded 55.77% and Thane 56.05%. Mumbais Colaba constituency improved from 40% in 2019 to 44.49% this election. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said a higher turnout has always benefited the BJP. The Ladli Bahena scheme is a major factor behind the rise in the turnout. Women voters came out in huge numbers to vote for MahaYuti, he said. I personally spoke with people in about 25 seats and was told about the higher women turnout. They voted for MahaYuti. State Congress chief Nana Patole said the party was confident of winning. There is huge anti-incumbency against the government. Thats why the voting percentage has gone up, he said. He said there was anger among farmer and rural communities over fall in cotton, soyabean and turmeric prices which resulted in more people coming out to vote, Patole said. However, observers agree that urban apathy could skew election results in favour of rural constituencies, making their votes even more decisive in closely contested regions. They refer to Mumbai, which is home to 36 constituencies and a significant chunk of Maharashtras electorate.

Maharashtra final voter turnout revised to 66.05%

The final turnout in the Maharashtra assembly polls was 66.05 percent, up from 61.1 percent in 2019, according to the Election Commission. The polling percentage for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll was 67.81 percent. The increase, excluding postal ballots, highlighted the EC's efforts to engage a broader electorate, the statement added. Kolhapur led with 76.63 per cent, followed by 75.26 per cent in Gadchiroli, while the lowest was in Mumbai island city at 52.07 per cent and 55.95 per cent in the metropolis' suburban district. More than 68,000 citizens aged over 85 and 12,000 individuals with disabilities cast their votes through home voting.

Shivaji statue collapse case: Bombay HC grants bail to consultant Chetan Patil

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to consultant Chetan Patil arrested in connection with the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at Rajkot fort in Malvan in August. A 35-foot statue of the iconic Maratha warrior king collapsed in Sindhudurg district on August 26, nearly nine months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled it on Navy Day. Patil was arrested on August 30 from Kolhapur. 'Bow my head at his feet and apologise': PM Modi on Chhatrapati Shivaji statue collapse A single bench of Justice A S Kilor on Thursday held that no case was made out to implicate Patil in the case as he had not been appointed as the structural designer of the statue. The bench further said Patil had only submitted a structural stability report of the pedestal of the statue and the pedestal was intact even after the collapse. Another accused, Jaydeep Apte, who was the sculptor and contractor, was also arrested in the case. The HC said it would hear his bail plea on November 25. The Sindhudurg police had registered an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for negligence and other offences last month against Apte and Patil for the statue's collapse. Patil and Apte moved HC seeking bail after a sessions court rejected their pleas.

Maharashtra Records Best Voter Turnout In 30 Years; Check 10 Districts With Highest Voting Percentage

The district-wise voter turnout in Kolhapur was the highest at 76.25%, followed by Gadchiroli at 73.68% and Jalna at 73.30%.

Revanth to Maha Voters: Modi Has No Success Story to Share

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises made during his tenure. Addressing a press conference in Pune on Monday, as part of his three-day campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Revanth Reddy alleged that Modi had no success story to share with people after ruling for over a decade, which is why he has been raising irrelevant issues during his Maharashtra election campaign. He said that the Telangana government is providing four per cent reservations to Muslims and assured that if the MVA government is voted to power, it will address the issue of Muslim reservations in Maharashtra also. The Chief Minister wrapped up his three-day Maharashtra campaign tour with rallies in Pune and Kolhapur, reiterating his call for a united fight against the BJP. Revanth Reddy claimed that the Prime Minister was deflecting attention by raising irrelevant issues during his campaign. Even after 11 years of rule, the Modi government does not have a single success story to claim, he remarked. He drove home the point by mentioning about unfulfilled promises such as doubling farmers' income, providing two crore jobs annually and building homes for the poor by 2022. He accused the Modi government of bringing anti-farmer policies, including controversial farm laws that led to prolonged protests and claimed lives of over 700 farmers. Maharashtra has the highest number of farmer suicides, but the Prime Minister avoids this subject, he said. Revanth Reddy defended the Congress governments in Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, and asserted that the guarantees promised in these states were being implemented effectively. He challenged Modi to send a committee led by a Union minister or a senior Central government official to Telangana to verify the facts. Revanth Reddy highlighted Telanganas achievements under his leadership, including waiving 18,000 crore in crop loans for farmers, providing government jobs to 50,000 youth, offering free RTC bus travel for women, supplying cooking gas cylinders to 50 lakh families at 500, ensuring 24-hour free electricity for farmers and up to 200 units to poor households and achieving record grain production with added bonus for farmers. Revanth Reddy criticised the BJP's handling of Maharashtra, accusing the Modi government of destabilising democratic institutions. He targeted BJP allies Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and Ashok Chavan, calling them betrayers, who had turned Maharashtra into a stronghold for democracys enemies. Appealing to Maharashtra voters, Revanth Reddy described the upcoming elections as a battle for democracy and sought their support for Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The countrys financial capital and the second-largest state politically deserve leaders who prioritise its people, not betrayal, he concluded. He took a swipe at Modi, accusing him of abandoning the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra during the final phase of the election campaign. Revanth Reddy pointed out that Modis absence in the last three days of campaigning reflects his acknowledgment of the alliance's imminent defeat.

PM Modi gifts Kolhapur-made panchamrit kalash to Nigerian President

New Delhi, Nov 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday gifted Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu a Silofar Panchamrit Kalash. The conventional craftwork in the form of a metal pot represents the traditional craftsmanship of Maharashtras Kolhapur, said officials. The Silofar Panchamrit Kalash is made from high-quality silver, and shaped with skill and precision. It [] The post PM Modi gifts Kolhapur-made panchamrit kalash to Nigerian President appeared first on The Shillong Times .

PM Narendra Modi gifts Silofar Panchamrit Kalash to Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

During his visit to Nigeria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a handcrafted silver Kalash from Kolhapur. In a reciprocal gesture, PM Modi was bestowed with Nigeria's second-highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.

PM Modi gifts Kolhapur's traditional metal work to Nigerian President

The 'Silofar Panchamrit Kalash features elegant engravings typical of Kolhapur's renowned metalwork, with motifs that often include floral patterns, deities and traditional designs.

Congress has highest respect for Balasaheb Thackeray: Priyanka

Ahmednagar: Scotching all speculations among allies, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday declared that despite the partys ideological differences with the (undivided) Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, the Congress has always held him in the highest esteem. Addressing rallies for the Maharashtra Assembly elections in Ahmednagar (Shirdi) and Kolhapur on Saturday, Priyanka Gandhi Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Book Review | M.S. Golwalkar: A life built on lies

This is one of the most detailed biographies available of M.S. Golwalkar, the RSSs second chief, who, more than a decade before Independence, tried to establish the character of India as a Hindu nation. Here are attempts to describe the toxicity of Golwalkars philosophy, its linkages with Nazism, and the damage it has done. Before becoming a prophet of Hindutva, Golwalkar was apolitical and a good student, but his exposure to Christian evangelists who ran down Hinduism at Hislop College, Nagpur, got him thinking about his own cultural and religious roots. From this evolved his vision of India and its society. Early in the book is a lie on which Golwalkar built his early political career: He claimed to have been a professor at Banaras Hindu University, whereas in truth he was a demonstrator, filling in a temporary vacancy. That job lasted a year and a half, and earned him the title of Guruji for his long hair and his beard. In later years, it gave him an academic legitimacy that he never earned. Another meticulously documented example of his facility with spin appears when Golwalkar took over leadership of the RSS after his mentor, Hegdewar, died abruptly. The essence of the matter is that Golwalkar ascended to the post solely on the strength of his own assertion that Hegdewar had appointed him successor. This comfort with spin stood him in good stead as sarvasanchalak . His operations in British-ruled provinces were handicapped, but he made progress in Hindu-ruled states, where the RSS was started under names that flattered the rulers: for example, it was called Rajaram Swayam Sevak Sangh in Kolhapur, where Rajaram was a former ruler. Golwalkar saw Muslims and Christians as bigger threats to India than the British. His support of the struggle for Independence was lukewarm, though he did support Jews and the formation of Israel. His arrest and imprisonment after Gandhis assassination, his attempts to get the ban on the RSS revoked, his confusion and his founding the VHP during the Nehru years, and his stewardship of the RSS until his death in 1973 are all here. The depth of the research is evident: Its simmered in the authors mind for a decade or more. But there are questions in the context of contemporary politics. Golwalkar might have been devious and miserly with the truth, but its hard to think of a successful modern politician who isnt. Besides, infiltrating institutions is standard operating procedure for governments and political parties. Golwalkars admiration for the Nazi regime in the last 1930s is clear, but are we sure that the RSS hasnt evolved from that position? Is killing for political dissent (Stalin and Mao between them purged between 60 million and 100 million countrymen, many times more than Hitler) acceptable while racist killings arent? Are we to believe that all present-day Marxists align with Marxs acceptance of violence as a part of social progress? This is a worthwhile read on its own merits, but its even better if it prods the reader into some introspection about values . Golwalkar Dhirendra K. Jha Simon and Schuster pp. 385; Rs 899

Rajasthan: Four members of a family killed as car falls into ditch

Jaipur: Four members of a family from Maharashtra's Kolhapur were killed and two others injured when their car fell into a ditch on the roadside near Kenpura village, police said on Friday. Sanderao SHO Laxman Singh said that the accident took place near Kenpura village on Thursday night when six passengers were travelling from Jodhpur to Sheoganj in Sirohi district after meeting their relatives. While returning to Sheoganj, their car went out of control near Kenpura on the highway. As soon as the car lost its balance, it overturned and went off the road, he added. The SHO said that the deceased were identified as Baburao (50), his wife Sarika (38), daughter Sakshi (19) and son Sanskar (17). The two injured were taken to the government hospital in Sanderao town, where they are undergoing treatment, he added. The initial investigation by the police revealed that the car fell into the ditch due to high speed. On receiving information, the police reached the spot and the bodies were taken out with the help of local people.

Four members of a family killed as car falls into ditch in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: Four members of a family from Maharashtra's Kolhapur were killed and two others injured when their car fell into a ditch on the roadside near Kenpura village, police said on Friday. Sanderao SHO Laxman Singh said that the accident took place near Kenpura village on Thursday night when six passengers were travelling from Jodhpur to Sheoganj in Sirohi district after meeting their relatives. While returning to Sheoganj, their car went out of control near Kenpura on the highway. As soon as the car lost its balance, it overturned and went off the road, he added. The SHO said that the deceased were identified as Baburao (50), his wife Sarika (38), daughter Sakshi (19) and son Sanskar (17). The two injured were taken to the government hospital in Sanderao town, where they are undergoing treatment, he added. The initial investigation by the police revealed that the car fell into the ditch due to high speed. On receiving information, the police reached the spot and the bodies were taken out with the help of local people.

Posing as vigilance officers, 5 men dupe trader of Rs 25 lakh citing poll code breach

Pune: Five men allegedly cheated a businessman of over Rs 25 lakh in Maharashtra's Kolhapur by posing as vigilance officers and citing violation of the election code of conduct by him for carrying cash, police said on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, they said. Assembly polls in Maharashtra will be held on November 20 and the election code of conduct is in force at present. Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs), flying squads of the Election Commission and police teams have been deployed across the state to curb poll-related irregularities. As soon as the victim, who is a swing trader, alighted from a private bus on a highway near Kolhapur early Tuesday morning, a man approached him and introduced himself as a vigilance officer. The latter asked the businessman if he was carrying any cash. When the victim told him that he had cash with him, the stranger said it was prohibited under the election code of conduct, inspector Deepak Jadhav of the Gandhinagar police station in Kolhapur said. He then instructed the businessman to sit in their car for an inquiry. Four other individuals were already sitting in the car. They drove in the direction of Kolhapur, claiming they needed to check the quantum of cash, he said. The accused asked the trader to hand over his bag and mobile phone and he acted accordingly. One of the accused persons then hinted at a possible compromise. However, the businessman insisted on going to the police station as he was confident that the cash was legitimate. When the car did not head in the required direction, he realised that they were imposters, Jadhav said. Fearing for his safety, the businessman requested the accused to take away the cash and release him. They eventually dropped him at Sarnobatwadi, fleeing with Rs 25.50 lakh in cash and his mobile phone, he said. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim, a case has been registered at the Gandhinagar police station, and efforts are underway to trace the accused.

To counter Uddhav, BJP posts video showing checking of Fadnavis' bags

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra BJP on Wednesday posted a video on X showing checking of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' bags, and said merely holding the Constitution for show is not enough and one must also follow the constitutional system. Some leaders have the habit of creating drama, the BJP said in the post, which comes after former CM Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) shared videos online over the last two days of his bags being checked by poll authorities. Maharashtra polls: EC searches Uddhavs bags for second consecutive day; Sena (UBT) alleges foul play In the last two days, Thackeray claimed his bags were inspected by the election authorities after he arrived in Latur and Yavatmal districts to campaign for the November 20 state assembly elections. Thackeray had also asked if the same law would be applied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders of the ruling alliance during their campaign. On Wednesday, the state BJP unit posted a footage on its social media handle X, showing Fadnavis' bags being checked by security personnel at Kolhapur airport on November 5. The ruling party in the post along with the video said, Let it be, some leaders just have a habit of creating drama. The BJP said the deputy CM's bag was checked in Yavatmal district on November 7, but he neither recorded any video nor made a fuss about it. Earlier, on November 5, Fadnavis' bags were also checked at the Kolhapur airport, it said referring to the video. Simply holding the Constitution for show is not enough; one must also follow constitutional systems. We only request that everyone respects the Constitution, the BJP said in the post. On Tuesday, Fadnavis said Thackeray was trying to divert the attention by needlessly protesting about the checking of his bags by poll officials and was seeking votes by whining. What is wrong with checking of bags? the senior BJP leader had wondered. Thackeray's frustration was showing, he added.

Congress moves EC over BJP's 'communal' ad on 'removing SC, ST, OBC quotas' and 7 other complaints

NEW DELHI: A Congress delegation on Monday took up with the Election Commission eight complaints regarding Jharkhand and Maharashtra assembly polls, including a communal image posted by the BJP depicting reservations being taken from SCs, STs, and OBCs and given to members of a minority community. The opposition party claimed that all eight complaints raised by it were found valid by the poll body. We raised some serious concerns with the Election Commission. These matters were discussed today. All the eight complaints raised by the Congress were found valid by the Election Commission, Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil, who led the delegation, told reporters outside the EC office here. In his memorandum to the EC on Monday, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh cited the said image posted on the BJP's X handle with the caption: Congress-led MVA's game of appeasement is ON...Vote wisely, Maharashtra. The image in the post falsely depicted an individual forcing out members of the SC, ST and OBC communities out of a rickshaw and accommodating a person belonging to a certain religious minority community, Ramesh said in his memorandum. The image is clearly a brazen and blatant attempt by the BJP to propagate a false and baseless narrative about the Congress, he said. In light of the above, we request that this Hon'ble Commission directs the immediate takedown of the post from all social media handles of the BJP. Further, we request that this Hon'ble Commission takes urgent action against the BJP and its Official X Handle i.e.BJP4India, Ramesh said. PM Modi accuses Congress of 'weakening SC, ST, OBC unity' to end reservations The cartoon posted by the BJP shows a person resembling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushing members of SC, ST and OBC communities out of a rickshaw and accommodating a person belonging to a certain religious minority community. Earlier, sources said an FIR has been lodged at Ranchi for violation of the Model Code of Conduct and legal provisions against the BJP's Jharkhand unit for posting false and misleading videos on the 'BJP 4 Jharkhand' social media handle against INDIA bloc leaders. The cybercrime police station Ranchi has also written to the microblogging platform to remove the objectionable posts under Section 69(A) of the IT Act, the sources said. The EC had also received a complaint on Sunday from Congress leader Ramesh regarding false and misleading videos posted by 'BJP 4 Jharkhand' on its official social media handles. In a memorandum submitted to the EC on Sunday, Ramesh had urged the poll body to issue directives for the immediate takedown of all videos of the advertisement and consequently take urgent action against the BJP and its official Facebook handle for Jharkhand. The advertisement, which appeared to take a dig at Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav by featuring three characters resembling them, showed them as anti-tribal and how they now want tribals' votes. The Congress has also raised a complaint alleging police inaction in connection with an attack on a delegation of its leaders by BJP members in Samaguri assembly constituency. There have also been instances of misuse of police powers for conducting raids and arresting supporters of the INC, the party said regarding the complaint pertaining to the Assam bypolls. In his memorandum on the matter dated November 8, Ramesh urged the poll watchdog to issue orders to transfer Nagaon Superintendent of Police Swapneel Deka, as well as officers in-charge of Rupahi and Khatowal police stations Sanjib Kumar and Biku Barma respectively with immediate effect. Further, to ensure that the elections conducted in Samaguri assembly constituency are free from any encumbrances, we request this Hon'ble Commission to deploy additional security forces to the said Assembly Constituency and install functional CCTVs in the following booths, he said. The Congress also raised with the EC a complaint from the Mahila Congress. We are writing to you with respect to an issue of grave concern that requires immediate intervention from this Commission. This representation pertains to certain statements made by Mr. Dhananjay Mahadik, Member of Parliament from the State of Maharashtra and Spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba said in her letter to the EC on November 10. On November 9, during an election event in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Mahadik made several statements which constituted a clear threat to voters who were going to cast their vote for the Indian National Congress' (INC) Candidate, she said. While elections to the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will be held on November 13 and November 20, polls for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will be held on November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23. BJP urges Election Commission to 'censure and restrain' Rahul Gandhi for alleged Model Code violations

BJP warns beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin scheme against attending Congress rallies

Kolhapur: BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik has kicked up a controversy by allegedly warning women who received Rs 1,500 under the Mahayuti government Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme against attending rallies of the Congress party. The Majhi Ladki Bahin has been one of the major initiatives of the BJP-led Mahayuti this election year. In its manifesto for Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

BJP MP warns beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin scheme against attending Congress rallies; EC issues notice

BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik sparked controversy by allegedly warning women in Kolhapur against attending Congress rallies after receiving Rs 1,500 aid from the government's 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme. Mahadik, facing a show-cause notice for potential code of conduct violation, claimed his statement was misinterpreted, while NCP's Supriya Sule condemned the remarks and demanded action from the women's commission.

18 passengers injured as private bus collides with truck on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

MUMBAI: Eighteen passengers were injured, eight of them seriously, after a private bus they were travelling in collided with a stationary truck on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khopoli in Raigad district early on Saturday, police said. The accident took place around 4 am, a police official said. The private bus, which was going to Mumbai from Kolhapur, rammed into the stationary truck. The accident occurred as the driver of the bus apparently lost control over the steering, he said. Eighteen passengers were injured in the incident and they were rushed to the MGM Hospital at Kamothe in Raigad district, he said, adding that the condition of eight of them, including four women, is said to be critical. As a result of the accident, the movement of vehicles on the route was affected, but the authorities soon cleared the traffic congestion, he said. The Khopoli police are probing the incident, according to the official.

Mahayuti announces 10 key election promises for upcoming Maharashtra elections

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, launched the Mahayuti election campaign in Kolhapur on Wednesday. During the event, they unveiled a set of ten promises, outlining their vision for the state's future should they remain in power. Key Promises of Mahayuti Government 1. Increased Ladli Bahena Scheme Allowance The Mahayuti government has promised to raise the monthly allowance under the Ladli Bahena scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100. Additionally, they plan to recruit 25,000 women into the police force to enhance women's safety. 2. Farm Loan Waiver and Financial Assistance to Farmers The government has pledged a loan waiver for farmers, along with an annual payment of Rs 15,000 under the Shetkari Samman Yojana. In addition, farmers will receive a 20 per cent subsidy on the Minimum Support Price (MSP). 3. Food and Shelter for All The Mahayuti government promises to ensure that every poor individual in Maharashtra has access to food and shelter. 4. Increase in Old Age Pension Under their promises, the monthly pension for senior citizens will be raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100. 5. Stabilising Essential Commodity Prices Mahayuti has pledged to stabilise the prices of essential commodities across the state, ensuring they remain affordable for the common man. 6. 25 Lakh Jobs and Financial Support for Students The government promises the creation of 25 lakh jobs. Additionally, they will provide Rs 10,000 per month as tuition support to 10 lakh students, helping them with their educational expenses. 7. Farm Connection Roads in 45,000 Villages Mahayuti aims to build farm connection roads in 45,000 villages, enhancing rural infrastructure. 8. Salary and Security for Anganwadi and Asha Workers The government promises to raise the monthly salary of Anganwadi and Asha workers to Rs 15,000, along with providing security coverage for these frontline workers. 9. Focus on Renewable Energy and Reduced Electricity Bills Mahayuti is committed to focusing on solar and renewable energy, with plans to reduce electricity bills by 30 per cent. 10. Vision Maharashtra 2029 In the next 100 days, the Mahayuti government promises to unveil their Vision Maharashtra 2029, outlining a roadmap for the states development. Maharashtra Assembly polls: 33 contestants in fray for Nanded North seat CM Shindes Statement We are confident that our promises will be a game-changer in this election. Our government will work for the common man. The Ladli Bahena scheme will not be closed under any circumstances. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi schemes, and ours is the Ladli Bahena scheme. We are a double-engine government working for the people, said CM Eknath Shinde. He also criticised the opposition, particularly Shiv Sena (UBT) and Uddhav Thackeray. We go to Delhi to bring funds, projects, and schemes to the state. But some people (Uddhav Thackeray) go to Delhi only to seek the CM's position in the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Their alliance lacks a clear face, Shinde added. Shinde on Past Projects CM Shinde also addressed past initiatives, noting that the Jalyukta Shivar Yojana (check dam project) was halted when the opposition came to power. The MVA government blocked important projects like the Metro, Atal Setu, and Coastal Road. We have removed all obstacles and restarted these vital projects. We are confident that our report card will speak for itself, he concluded. Parties in Maharashtra have no ideology left in them, says Akbaruddin Owaisi

Maharashtra Elections: BJP expels 40 workers for 'not following party discipline'

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expelled 40 workers for disciplinary violations across 37 constituencies. This comes after the Mahayuti alliancecomprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCPlaunched a manifesto in Kolhapur, outlining plans for Maharashtra's prosperity.

Those helping BJP are Maharashtra's 'enemies', polls are all about love vs betrayal of State: Uddhav Thackeray

Former CM addresses his first rally of the Maharashtra Assembly polls in Kolhapur district

Maharashtra CM lists ten promises in first Mahayuti poll rally at Kolhapur

The ruling coalition vows to hike aid for women, farmers, pensioners, ASHA workers; promises farm loan waiver, increased MSPs, lower power bills, more jobs; hits back against Opposition accusations on industrial investment

Fissures in Mahayuti as Maharashtra assembly election campaign begins

As the Maharashtra state assembly election campaign kick-started, cracks in the Mahayuti alliance became evident, with disagreements surfacing over support for Mahayuti candidates during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Former Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Hemant Godse from Nasik has accused Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister Chhagan Bhujbal of betrayal. Godse claimed that deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Bhujbal back-stabbed him during the Lok Sabha elections in Nasik. According to Godse, Bhujbal actively campaigned for the opposition candidate, urging people to vote for Rajabhau Waje, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate. Uddhav Thackeray pledges free education, women empowerment in Kolhapur campaign Shiv Sena never back-stabbed anyone, but some people did it in the recent Lok Sabha election, Godse said. Godse explained that Bhujbal was originally interested in contesting the Nasik Lok Sabha seat. However, at the last moment, Bhujbal was denied the candidature, and Godse was re-nominated. Ultimately, Godse lost to the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Rajabhau Waje. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who had supported Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha elections, has distanced himself from the alliance this time. He also criticised Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of using the court and the Election Commission of India to take over the Shiv Sena party and symbol. In a recent interview, Raj Thackeray said, I got my party and symbol through hard work, not by snatching it from anyone. Reacting to Raj Thackerays statement, Shiv Sena minister Deepak Kesarkar defended CM Eknath Shinde, asserting, CM Eknath Shinde has not snatched the party and symbol. He is a true follower of late Balasaheb Thackerays ideology, and that is why he got the party and symbol.

Uddhav Thackeray pledges free education, women empowerment in Kolhapur campaign

Shiv Sena (UBT) president and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray began his campaign for the Maharashtra state assembly on Tuesday in Kolhapur, presenting five significant promises aimed at countering the Mahayuti governments Ladli Bahena scheme. During the Kolhapur rally, Thackeray pledged that his government, once elected, would provide free education not only for girls but for boys as well. Boys are the pillars of the home, and the same is true for girls, so both will receive education free of charge, he said. Thackeray also emphasised the importance of womens safety and empowerment. State police stations will be made women-friendly by recruiting a large number of girls into the state police force. We will also appoint women police officers as in-charges of the police stations, ensuring that women who come to report crimes feel comfortable and can lodge complaints against culprits, he added. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader addressed the issue of employment and housing, asserting that Mumbai belongs to all Marathi people. They should come to Mumbai to seek jobs and establish industries. We will prioritise Marathi people when it comes to job and housing allocations. Affordable housing will be made available so that anyone can purchase homes in Mumbai. Additionally, we will ensure fair prices for crops such as cotton, soyabean, onion, and sugarcane. Our government had waived off farmers loans in the past, and when we return to power, we will do it again, he promised. Karnataka Congress leaders from border districts to campaign in Maharashtra Thackeray spoke about inflation, a pressing concern for many. Once our government is in power, we will stabilise essential commodity prices. The inflation and drastic rise in the prices of basic goods is a major concern for the middle and lower-middle classes. The high cost of essential commodities is drilling holes in peoples pockets. We will provide relief from this crippling inflation, he assured. Criticising the Shinde-led Mahayuti government, Thackeray accused it of rampant corruption. In this government, only commissions and corruption have occurred, robbing the state exchequer, while the Ladli Bahena scheme has merely offered Rs 1,500 per month, he alleged. Thackeray dismissed the influence of national leaders on the upcoming elections in Maharashtra. Let Narendra Modi and Amit Shah come to Maharashtra for the election campaign; it will not make much difference or impact. Even if they camp in the state for the next 15 days, it will not help them. The way they toppled our pro-Maharashtra people's government has not gone down well with the citizens. The current state government works for Gujarat and in the interest of Modi and Shah, not for the local people, Thackeray claimed.

Amit Thackeray Faces Tough Challenge in Mahim

Mumbai: MNS chief Raj Thackerays son Amit Thackeray will have his task cut out on his electoral debut in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha polls in Maharashtra as Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena candidate and incumbent MLA Sada Sarvankar on Monday decided not to withdraw his nomination from the Mahim constituency. Amit Thackeray has been pitted against three-time MLA Sarvankar and Mahesh Sawant, who has been fielded by Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). The MNS is not a part of the Mahayuti, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawars NCP. However, the BJP leaders said they wanted to back Amit Thackeray and asked Sarvankar to withdraw in Mahim. November 4 was the last day of withdrawal of nominations. Sarvankar said he was asked by Chief Minister Shinde to meet Raj Thackeray and accept his decision no matter what. Sarvankar on Monday noon had gone to meet Raj Thackeray at the latter's Shivaji Park residence in Dadar. However, according to the MLA, Raj refused to meet him and conveyed that he was not interested to have discussions and the Shiv Sena leader was free to contest against his son. I have the highest regard for Raj Thackeray. I would have followed his orders had he met me once. But now I am firm on my decision to contest as a Mahayuti candidate and I will work for the people of Mahim, Sarvankar said. Meanwhile, in a relief to the BJP, senior party leader and former MP Gopal Shetty has agreed to withdraw his nomination as a rebel candidate from Borivali seat. He had filed his papers last week after the BJP gave ticket to Sanjay Upadhyay from the seat. As Shetty did not agree to withdraw, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde flew from Delhi to Mumbai to hold discussions with him, after which he finally bowed to the pressure from the party. However, even after withdrawing his nomination on the deadline day, Shetty expressed displeasure over Maharashtra BJPs decision makers. After pulling out of the fray, Shetty said, My anger was not against the BJP party or leadership. What really upset me was the system in which decisions were taken without adequately consulting the workers. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis praised Gopal Shetty for setting an example as committed Karyakarta who works for the organisations interest. The Congress received a shock as in a dramatic turn of events in Kolhapur, Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati, who was partys official candidate, withdrew her candidature and supported the party rebel. Madhurima Raje is the wife of former MLA Maloji Raje Chhatrapati, the son of Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj, the Congress MP from Kolhapur. The Kolhapur royal family are descendants of iconic Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and legendary social reformer Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. The Congress had initially nominated Rajesh Latkar from Kolhapur North. However, he was replaced by Madhurima Raje. Latkar, however, remained in the fray as an Independent. There were no options left. We have decided not to contest, said Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj. Madhurimas withdrawal left senior Congress leader Satej Patil fuming and expressed his open displeasure over the development. He was heard telling her that she should have informed the party earlier that she didnt want to contest and he was being made scapegoat. Congress now has no official candidate in Kolhapur North. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena also persuaded Swikriti Sharma, wife of former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, to withdraw from the Andheri East seat, where the party candidate Murji Patel is contesting against Shiv Sena (UBT)s Rutuja Latke. CPI(M) withdrew from Nasik West seat after discussion with MVA leaders. Partys Maharashtra Secretary Uday Narkar said that the party has decided to withdraw to avoid splitting of anti-government votes. Rebel Congress leader Mukhtar Shaikh has withdrawn his nomination as an independent from the Kasba Peth assembly constituency and lent support to the official Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. He said that he had received several calls of reassurances from Congress leadership, which led to the withdrawal of his nomination. An official from the ECI said that after the deadline for nomination withdrawal ended, there were 4,140 candidates in the fray for the 288 Assembly seats. After the verification of nominations, 7,078 applicants were found to be eligible to contest the Assembly election. Out of them, 2,938 applicants withdrew their nominations before the deadline for the withdrawal, the official said. The voting for the 288 Maharashtra Assembly seats will take place in a single phase on November 20 and the results will be announced on November 23.

Cong reels as candidate pulls out in Maha stronghold

The end of the process to withdraw nominations for Maharashtra assembly polls on Monday left the Congress in despair in Kolhapur North seat after its candidate Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati withdrew, while the Bharatiya Janata Party managed to convince Gopal Shetty to opt out from Mumbai's Borivali.

Confusion persists in Maharashtra till end of nominations

Mumbai: Hectic parlays and deliberations continued till the final hours on the last day of filing of nominations, but the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) still struggled to come to consensus on the final seat sharing arrangement for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha polls in Maharashtra. There are few seats where the constituents of both the Mahayuti and MVA parties have fielded their candidates. The alliances will have to sort out the differences before November 9, the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations and the final picture will be clear then only, said political observers. As far as the Mahayuti is concerned, the BJP has announced its candidates on 148 seats, followed by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena (85) and the Ajit Pawars NCP (51). They have left four seats to their allies - Kalina (RPI), Badnera (Yuva Swabhimani Party), Shahuwadi (Jan Surajya party) and Gangakhed (RSP). In about four to five seats, two of the Mahayuti parties have announced their candidates. In case of the MVA, the Congress has fielded candidates on 102 seats, whereas the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the NCP (Sharad Pawar) has fielded candidates on 94 and 86 seats respectively. Its allies Peasants and Workers Party (6), Samajwadi Party (5) and the CPM (3) have also fielded candidates. The jostling for more seats is bigger in the MVA, as as many as 11 seats have seen candidates from two of MVA parties. Triangular fights in Borivali, Bandra East, Andheri (East), Byculla and Dharavi assembly constituencies will be seen as many rebellion candidates including senior BJP leader Gopal Shetty filed their nominations on Tuesday. Another BJP leader Hasmukh Gehlot has announced to contest from Thanes Owala Majiwada seat after the Mahayuti fielded Shiv Senas Pratap Sarnaik. Vijay Chaugale from the Shiv Sena has filed a nomination against BJPs Ganesh Naik from Airoli constituency and Vijay Nahta has filed nomination against BJP candidate Manda Mhatre from Belapur seat. The MVA, an alliance of Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), is also facing rebellion in Kolhapur North, Versova and Byculla seats. Maharashtra BJP has roped senior BJP leaders including Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar and Union minister Piyush Goyal to pacify Gopal Shetty. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also called Mr. Shetty, but all the efforts have been proved futile. The disgruntled leader on Tuesday filed his nomination by showing his strength during a nomination procession to the election office. Mr. Shetty has been twice member of Lok Sabha and two terms MLA and three term corporator of BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The party on Monday issued a fourth list, which contained Sanjay Upadhyays name for the Borivali seat. He also filed his nomination on Tuesday. Mr. Shetty was hoping for a ticket to the Maharashtra Assembly polls from the BJP after being denied one in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year. The BJP leaders including Maharashtra election in-charges Bhupendra Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnav managed to pacify former MLA and Corporator Atul Shah, who had circulated a poster claiming he will contest from the Mumbadevi seat as an independent after Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena announced Shaina NC, who was BJP spokesperson, as its candidate from there. Earlier in the day, Mr Shah said that he has been representing the Mumbadevi seat for many years and now, someone else is being given the ticket. This is not a musical chair. This is an election, he said. Apart from this, Kunal Sarmalkar from the Shiv Sena filed his nomination against NCP candidate Zeeshan Siddique in Bandra east. Former police inspector and encounter specialist Pradeep Sharmas wife Swikriti Sharma on Tuesday filed her nomination against Shiv Senas Murji Patel in Andheri east constituency as an independent candidate. Disgruntled Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former corporator Raju Pednekar filed his nomination paper as an Independent in Versova where the Shiv Sena (UBT) has given candidature to Harun Khan.

Maharashtra polls: BJP names two more candidates; count reaches 148

MUMBAI: On the last day of filing of nomination papers, the BJP on Tuesday released the names of two more candidates for the next month's assembly elections in the state, which took the total count of its nominees to 148. As per the latest list, former MLA Narendra Mehta will contest from the Mira Bhayandar assembly segment in Thane district, while Sudhir Parwe will be fielded from the Umred (SC) assembly segment in Nagpur district. Elections to the 288-member assembly will be held on November 20, while the counting of votes will take place three days later. The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance also comprising Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). BJP to reinforce Hindutva, trust allies in Maharashtra elections In a statement, the party said it has decided to allocate four assembly seats to its allies. These include the Badnera seat in Amravati district to the Yuva Swabhiman Party, the Gangakhed seat in Parbhani district to the Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP), the Kalina seat in Mumbai to the Republican Party of India (Athawale), and the Shahuwadi seat in Kolhapur to the Jan Surajya Shakti Party. The BJP also fielded the party's Nanded district leader, Dr Santuk Marotrao Hambarde, as a candidate for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll. He will be competing against Congress candidate Ravindra Chavan, the son of late Vasant Chavan, who had recently won the Lok Sabha election. This byelection to the Nanded Lok Sabha constituency was necessitated following the death of senior Congress leader Vasant Chavan in August. Haryana formula for Maharashtra: BJP not keen on ties with smaller parties

Pune to get four new Vande Bharat Trains, check routes, stoppages, fares here

two of Vande Bharat Expresses are already operating in Maharashtra, connecting Pune Kolhapur, Hubli and Mumbai via Pune Solapur.

Mahayuti used its stint in power in Maharashtra to push corporate cronies' interests: Congress

Congress accused Maharashtra's Mahayuti government of prioritising corporate interests over environmental concerns, specifically highlighting Adani Green Energy's projects. They criticised the approval of ecologically harmful projects and alleged legal manipulation, emphasising local protests and water scarcity issues in Kolhapur related to Adani's pumped storage project.

Maharashtra: Congress releases third list of 16 candidates

Mumbai: Congress on Saturday released its third list of 16 candidates for the Maharashtra assembly elections which included senior leader Manikrao Thakare.With the third list, the party has declared 87 candidates so far for the November 20 elections to the 288-member assembly. Its talks with allies NCP(SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) for seat-sharing are still underway. Thakare, a former state Congress chief and the party's present Goa in-charge, was fielded from Digras constituency in Yavatmal district. Nanded South MLA Mohanrao Hambarde was retained, while Kolhapur North MLA Jayashri Jadhav was replaced with Rajesh Latkar. Nivruttirao Kamble was fielded from Deglur in place of sitting MLA Jitesh Antapurkar who has crossed over to the BJP. Lakhibhau Jadhav was fielded from Igatpuri in place of sitting MLA Hiraman Koskar who has switched his loyalties to the NCP. Asif Zakaria would contest from Vandre West, taking on Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, while Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant was fielded from Andheri West.

Congress announces third list of 39 candidates, gains two more in its share of 85 seats in MVA

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Congress on Saturday released a list of 39 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. The party has announced 87 candidates so far. Though the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) announced that they would contest 85 seats each, the Congress has got two more seats to contest. The third list, released late Saturday evening, has 16 candidates, while the second list had 23 candidates in the afternoon. The party has fielded Sachin Sawant from Andheri West and Mohanrao Marotrao Ambade from Nanded South. In Kolhapur North, Rajesh Bharat Latkar has been fielded while Prithviraj Gulabrao Patil will contest from Sangli. In the ST reserved seat Gadchiroli, the party has fielded Manohar Tulshiram Poreti and Manikrao Thakare contest from Digras. While Rana Dalipkumar Sanada will contest from Khamgaon, Dr Hemant Nanda Chimote will be in ST seat Melghat. In Nagpur South a disputed seat between the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), the party has fielded Girish Pandav from that seat. While Kalu Badheliya has been fielded from Kandivali East, Yashwant Singh will contest from Charkop against BJPs Yogesh Sagar. The party has fielded Ganesh Yadav from Sion Koliwada. The party has fielded Suresh Bhoyar against BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule from Kamthi. Shekhar Shende will contest from Wardha. The party released the first list of 48 candidates on Thursday. The names of candidates were finalised at a meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) chaired by party chief Malllikarjun Kharge on Friday evening. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, K C Venugopal, and state leaders attended the meeting. AICC in-charge Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala, said all constituents will be given representation as part of the MVA alliance. Samajwadi Party, CPM, CPI and AAP are part of MVA. We are giving representation to all the parties, but seats are limited, he said. In its first list, the party retained several sitting MLAs and fielded senior leaders including Nana Patole and former CM Prithviraj Chavan. The party also fielded former ministers Nitin Raut and Balasaheb Thorat from Nagpur North and Sangamner.

AAP may consider contesting couple of seats in Maharashtra: Party's Goa chief

AAP is considering contesting a few seats in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Despite being part of the INDIA bloc, AAP aims to strengthen its base in the Konkan region, particularly in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, and Kolhapur, against BJP's Narayan Rane's influence.

23 Injured After Bus Hits Heavy Vehicle Near Lonavala On Mumbai-Pune Expressway

The bus was travelling to Borivali in Mumbai from Kolhapur in western Maharashtra when the accident took place around 5 am

Concerned Over Low Voter Turnout, ECI Assures Basic Amenities at Mumbai Polling Stations

Mumbai : Taking a serious cognizance of the slow paced voting process and long queues in Mumbai during Lok Sabha election, the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Maharashtra on Wednesday said that three to four people will be allowed to enter the polling room at one time instead of a single person. The ECI has appointed seven officers to make proper arrangements in the city and suburbs to provide basic amenities at the polling station. The State branch of the ECI will also examine all the statements related to Vote Jihad made after the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. During the Lok Sabha election in May 2024, the citizens raised the issue of insufficient and poor arrangements such as absence of drinking water facilities and lack of basic amenities in the polling stations and polling booths amid the heat-wave. Speaking with the reporters in Mantralaya, Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S. Chockalingam said that they have designated Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner as DEO (District Electoral Officer). There are four additional BMC commissioners and two district collectors in Mumbai and Suburbs, which have six parliamentary constituencies. The ECI designated these officers as additional DEO. Each additional DEO will take care of six assembly constituencies. We are hopeful that proper arrangements will be made this time through the BMC, which is resourceful, he said. In order to avoid long queues at the booth stations and increase the voting percentage in the state, the Maharashtra CEO said that they have advised the officers to allow three to four citizens at a time to enter the polling booths to cast their votes. They have also rationalized the polling stations. Due to lack of facility for keeping mobile phones at the polling stations, many citizens had left from the polling booths without casting their votes. To resolve this issue, the Maharashtra ECO has sent a proposal to the poll body with a suggestion to provide space for keeping mobile phones of citizens outside of polling booths. We have sent a proposal to the ECI in this regard, the CEO said. Despite an imposition of model code of conduct (MCC) in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening (around 4.00 pm), the state state government allegedly continued to issue government resolution (GRs) in connection with the allocation of funds to various projects and schemes among other things. When asked about it, Mr. Choklingam said, We will hold a thorough inquiry into the allegations. After the inquiry, if we find any GR issued after 3.30pm on Tuesday, appropriate action will be taken. Following the Maharashtra CEOs statement, the government has removed all the GRs which were issued on Wednesday. The BJP has been stating that the MVA candidates won in the Lok Sabha election due to Vote Jihad. A fortnight ago, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis had raised the issue vote jihad in Kolhapur stating that it was witnessed in 14 out of 48 constituencies in the state in recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Fadnavis went on stating that a particular community had unitedly voted to defeat Hindutvawadi candidates. Dr. Kiran Kulkarni. Additional Chief Electoral Officer said that there are various aspects in connection with Vote Jihad. This issue has various legal aspects. We will have to examine all the aspects. Post this, if needed we will take guidance from the ECI and decide our future course of action, Dr. Kulkarni said.

Old Clip of Children in Truck Falsely Shared as One of Rohingya Muslims in India

The video shows Muslim children from West Bengal and Bihar, who had returned to Kolhapur for studies after holidays.

Maharashtra Cabinet Meeting Cancelled Due to Shindes Health Concern

Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shindes all events on Tuesday were cancelled or postponed due to his health concerns. However, the officials said that the CM will be back to work on Wednesday. A cabinet meeting was also postponed due to Mr. Shindes absence. It was supposed to be the last cabinet meeting of the Shinde government before the model code of conduct came into force in the state. The Shinde cabinet has approved more than 100 proposals in the last three cabinet meetings, including 40 decisions approved in the last weeks cabinet meeting. The same trend was expected to continue, but Tuesdays meeting was cancelled at the last minute. According to officials, Mr. Shinde has been advised complete rest and he is recuperating at his official residence Varsha in Mumbai. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has undergone eye surgery. So the doctor has advised him to take rest and special care. In the wake of the doctors advice, the CM has decided to take a break by cancelling the promotion program of Ladki Bahin Yojana under the Women Empowerment Campaign in Shirdi and the foundation laying ceremony of Onion Mahabank in Rahuri and all other scheduled programs today. However, the media is requested not to make any other arguments in this regard, CMs office said in a statement. However, sources said that Mr. Shinde experienced low blood pressure as a result of overexertion. He has been attending back to meetings and events across the state. Mr. Shinde was also scheduled to visit Solapur, where he was to participate in an event Vachanpoorti (Promise Fulfillment) at 12:30 pm. He was scheduled to depart from Mumbai airport at 11:30 am. Deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar attended the event in his absence. Mr. Fadnavis also attended the function at Shirdi while Ajit Pawar skipped it due to his Jansanman Yatra scheduled earlier in Kolhapur district. Speaking at the Solapur event, Mr Fadnavis assured that the Ladki Bahin scheme will not be discontinued after the election and the government will credit installments of Rs 1,500 each for the month of October and November in advance. He termed it as a bhau beej in advance. Under the Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana, the state government credits financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month in the bank accounts of eligible women. The state government has allocated Rs 46,000 crore to implement the scheme. Targeting the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, Mr Fadnavis said women should beware of some step brothers trying to stall welfare schemes. He claimed that Anil Wadpalliwar, the official election in-charge of state Congress president Nana Patole, and Congress leader Sunil Kedar approached the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court seeking stay on the Ladki Bahin (beloved sister), Lek Ladki (beloved daughter) schemes and 50 per cent discount on bus tickets for women, claiming these initiatives are a waste of money. As long as your real brothers are sitting in Mumbai (Mahayuti alliance), we will never allow the discontinuation of these initiatives, he said.

My son should get Rs 5 cr prize money, flat in Pune, says Olympic medallist Swapnil's father

Mumbai: The father of Paris Olympics shooting bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale has expressed disappointment over the Maharashtra government paying Rs 2 crore prize money to his son, saying Haryana doles out much higher amount for its athletes. Swapnil Kusale (29), who hails from Kolhapur, won a bronze medal in 50 m rifle 3 positions event at the Paris Olympics in August. His father Suresh Kusale on Monday said his son should get Rs 5 crore prize money and a flat near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune. Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, Suresh Kusale claimed, The Haryana government gives Rs 5 crore to its each (Olympics medal winning) player (Haryana gives Rs 6 crore to a gold medallist, Rs 4 crore to silver medallist, Rs 2.5 crore to bronze winner). As per a new policy announced by the Maharashtra government, an Olympic bronze medal winner will get Rs 2 crore. Why does the state form such criteria when Swapnil was only the second individual Olympic medal winner from Maharashtra (after wrestler K D Jadhav in 1952) in 72 years? he asked. Five individuals won medals in the Paris Olympics for India, of whom four were from Haryana and one, Swapnil Kusale, from Maharashtra. Haryana is a much smaller state compared to Maharashtra, but it gives higher prize money to its medal winning athletes, he said. However, our government has announced Rs 5 crore for a gold medal winner, Rs 3 crore for a silver medallist and Rs 2 crore for a bronze medallist. Why have such a criteria when only two players from Maharashtra have won individual Olympic medals in so many years? Suresh Kusale asked. Had I known such an outcome, I would have persuaded him to explore a career in some other sports. Is the amount kept low because Swapnil is from a humble background? Would the reward amount have remained the same if he had been the son of an MLA or a minister? he wondered. Suresh Kusale also said the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena at the sports complex (in Pune) should be named after his son. Swapnil should get Rs 5 crore as an award, a flat near Balewadi Sports Stadium so that he could easily commute for practice. Swapnil's name should be given to the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena, he said when asked about his demands. After his Paris feat, the ace marksman was promoted by his employer Central Railway and appointed an officer on special duty. The Maharashtra government recently announced doubling the prize money for players winning medals at major sports events, including Olympics, World Championships and Asian Games, among others.

Maharashtra: Man rapes his own 8-yr-old daughter in Kolhapur; gets 20 yrs rigorous imprisonment

The District and Sessions court here on Monday sentenced a man to rigorous imprisonment for 20 years for raping his own minor daughter in Lakshyatirth Vasahat, a suburb of the city, on January 10, 2020.

Watch: Rahul Gandhi Cooks, Eats With Dalit Family In Maharashtra

Rahul Gandhi visited a Dalit kitchen during his recent visit to Maharashtra's Kolhapur.

Rahul Gandhi invokes Shivaji statue, says two ideologies in country

MUMBAI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed days after its installation in Malwan as it was erected by those opposed to his true ideology. Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, made the remarks at the Savidhan Sanman sammelan after unveiling the full-sized statue of Chhatrapati in Kolhapur. We should at least imbibe some of the principals Shivaji Maharaj stood, fought and lived for. He accomplished great deeds by uniting people of all castes and religions and fighting against injustice. Ch. Shivaji Maharajs ideals and ideas are truly reflected in the Constitution of India, said the Congress MP, adding if it werent for Shivaji Maharaj and Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, the Constitution wouldnt exist. He said there are two ideologies in the country -- one that unites the nation and works, while the other (referring to RSS-BJP) is against the Constitution and aims to destroy it. This second type of ideology instills fear in the peoples minds. Those who follow this ideology may bow before Shivaji Maharaj, but they do not follow his true ideals and principles. This same ideology tried to put hurdles in Shivaji Maharajs coronation (Rajyabhishek). They built a statue of him, but it collapsed within a few days. This is not a political battle, but a battle of ideas, Gandhi said. Dalits, backward classes, and marginalized groups are not given enough opportunities in industries, businesses, or courts. Due to the privatization of government institutions, reservations are being eliminated. To change this situation, it is crucial to protect the Constitution, for which the first step would be removal of 50% cap on reservations. The INDIA alliance will remove this cap and pass caste-based census legislation in Parliament, he stated. Underscoring the significance of caste-based census, he said, A caste-based census is like an X-ray, which will identify the problems of various communities and help find solutions.

MEIL commissions 5 solar plants in Maharashtra having capacity of 19 MW

Infrastructure company MEIL on Saturday said it has commissioned five solar plants in Maharashtra having a combined capacity of 19 megawatt (MW). The plants were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) said in a statement. MEIL has commissioned five solar power plants with a total capacity of 19 MW under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) scheme across Maharashtra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Solar Plants and Dedicated to the Nation, it said. The five solar plants are at Shambhaji Nagar (3 MW), Nanded (5MW), Kolhapur (3MW), Akola (3MW), and Buldhana (5 MW) in Maharashtra. These power generated from green plants will provide uninterrupted electricity to farmers for the cultivation of their lands that will reduce the burden of cost of electricity bills. The excess power will be supplied to the grid. As part of the PM-KUSUM scheme, MEIL said it has to execute the

MEILs Solar Power Plants Commissioned in Maharashtra under PM KUSUM Scheme

Efficient technical solutions have been found but EB continues to delay grid connectivity for solar plants. Efficient technical solutions have been found but EB continues to delay grid connectivity for solar plants. Hyderabad: Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), a global conglomerate based in Hyderabad, has commissioned its state-of-the-art five solar power plants with a total capacity of 19 MW under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) scheme across Maharashtra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the solar plants and dedicated to the nation. These five solar plants, located at Dhondalgaon in Shambhaji Nagar, Bamni in Nanded, Haroli in Kolhapur, Jalalabad in Akola and Palshi in Buldhana in Maharashtra. The inauguration of these solar power plants marks a significant milestone in the companys ongoing commitment to sustainable energy solutions and brings the revolutionary changes in the lives of the farmers of Maharashtra. These power plants provides uninterrupted electricity to farmers for the cultivation of their lands and reduce the burden of cost of electricity bills and enhance the agriculture production and excess power, which will be connected to grid. Farmers typically get power for irrigation at night. This not only causes them a great deal of inconvenience but also results in wastage of water as pumps are left running once switched on. Sometimes farmers lost their lives due to snake bites and current shocks. Providing solar panels for irrigation under PMKUSUM would result in day-time reliable power to farmers making irrigation easier for them and also avoiding over-use of water and power. PM KUSUM, an initiative launched by the Central government of India in 2019, aims to promote solar energy in agriculture, reduce farmers dependency on diesel pumps, and increase their income through surplus electricity generation. As part of the PM KUSUM scheme, the MEIL has to execute the 404 advanced solar plants across nine districts of Maharashtra including Kolhapur, Satara, Akola, Buldhana, Washim, Jalna, Jalgaon, and Nanded, with a total capacity of 1880 MW. The current inaugurated plants are the few of the 404 proposed solar plants. Reaming solar plants works are at different stages. The newly commissioned solar plants utilizes advanced Monopark 550 WP solar panels, 275 KW inverters, and swing motors to maximize energy harnessing from the sun. MEIL is also at the forefront of technological innovation, introducing a first-of-its-kind Remote Monitoring System (RMS) for solar power plants. This system seamlessly integrates with the State Solar Energy Data Management (SSEDM) platform and the National Solar Energy Data Management (NSEDM) platform managed by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, ensuring efficient oversight and data management. The inauguration of solar plants is a testament to our dedication to building a sustainable future, said the Chief Operating Officer (Renewable Energy), M Sridhar for MEIL. We are proud to contribute to the nation's energy security while simultaneously supporting the agricultural sector and enhancing farmers' livelihoods. As work progresses, MEIL continues to uphold its role as a leader in sustainable infrastructure, driving India towards a greener and more prosperous future. With several more solar plants under construction, the company remains committed to its vision of transforming the countrys energy landscape.

Removing 50 pc cap on quota necessary to protect Constitution, says Rahul

Kolhapur, Oct 5 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said removing the existing 50 percent cap on reservation is necessary to protect the Constitution, and asserted that the INDIA bloc will ensure the passage of laws to this effect in Parliament. Speaking at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan here, he also said the Congress and Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Removing 50 pc cap on quota necessary to protect Constitution: Rahul Gandhi

Kolhapur: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said removing the existing 50 per cent cap on reservation is necessary to protect the Constitution.Speaking at the 'Samvidhan Samman Sammelan' here, he also said the Congress and the INDIA bloc will ensure passage of laws to remove this 50 per cent limit. We will ensure the passage of law on caste census in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and no power can stop it, he said. The history of Dalits or backward classes was not being taught in schools, he said, alleging that efforts are now being made to erase that history.

Cong targets PM ahead of Maharashtra visit, questions stand on caste census

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Thane in Maharashtra, the Congress on Saturday questioned the BJP's stand on the caste census and raising the reservation cap of 50 per cent. Questioning the Mahayuti government's delays in holding the elections to the Municipal Corporations in the state, including in Thane, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said it is an attack on democracy. The non-biological PM is in Washim and Thane, Maharashtra tomorrow. Four questions he must answer: Where does the BJP stand on the issue of a caste census and raising the cap of 50 percent on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs imposed by the Supreme Court, he said in a post on X. Ramesh said Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is in Kolhapur today, where he paid his respects to the legendary Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj -- the forerunner of the social justice movement in India -- at his Samadhi. Meanwhile, he said the prime minister is scheduled to visit the Pohradevi

No use of bowing before Shivaji Maharaj after scaring people, destroying Constitution: Rahul Gandhi

KOLHAPUR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the BJP government, saying there was no use in bowing before Shivaji Maharaj after scaring people and destroying the Constitution and institutions in the country. Gandhi on Saturday unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha empire, in Kolhapur city of western Maharashtra. Addressing a public meeting before unveiling the statue, Gandhi slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the collapse of the statue of the warrior king at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district and said the party's ideology was not right. There is no use of bowing before bowing before Shivaji Maharaj after scaring people, destroying the Constitution and institutions in the country, Gandhi said. His comments were apparently targeted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had apologised to Shivaji Maharaj and those hurt by the collapse of his statue. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king. For us, he is our deity. Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity, Modi had said on August 30 during his visit to Maharashtra. The 35-foot statue, which fell on August 26 , was unveiled by the PM on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day. Gandhi said Chhatrapati Shivaji's message to the world was that the country belongs to everyone. The Indian Constitution is a manifestation of what the warrior king stood for, he said. If people like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shahu Maharaj were not there, the Constitution also would not have been there, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

Rahul arrives in Kolhapur, to unveil Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue

Rahul Gandhi's visit to Kolhapur comes ahead of the Assembly elections in the state, scheduled for later this year

Rahul Gandhi in Kolhapur to inaugurate imposing statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at Kasba Bawada

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi will unveil a tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during his brief visit to the erstwhile royal kingdom of Kolhapur.

Rahul Gandhi unveils Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Kolhapur

Mr. Gandhi is in Kolhapur ahead of the Assembly elections in the State, scheduled for later this year.

Mumbai Railways: Special Trains Extended, Over 80 Suburban Timetables Revised

The Central Railway has extended the services of several special trains, providing hundreds of additional trips for smoother travel. In addition, they have revised the schedules for over 80 suburban trains on the Mumbai Main Line. Reports indicate that 83 suburban trains will now operate under the updated timetable. Extended Special Train Services: Pune-Harangul Daily Special (Train No. 01487/01488) with a total of 184 trips. Solapur-Tirupati Weekly Special (Train No. 01437/01438) offering 26 trips. Pune-Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus Kolhapur Daily Special (Train No. 01023/01024) with 184 trips. Nagpur-Madgaon Bi-weekly Special (Train No. 01139/01140) providing 52 trips. Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Solapur Weekly Special (Train No. 01435/01436) with 28 trips. Khandwa-Sanawad 5-Days a Week Special (Train No. 01091/01092) operating 130 trips. Dadar-Gorakhpur 4-Days a Week Special (Train No. 01027/01028) with 106 trips. Dadar-Ballia Tri-weekly Special (Train No. 01025/01026) offering 78 trips. Badnera-Nashik Daily Unreserved Special (Train No. 01211/01212) with 184 trips. Solapur-Daund Daily Unreserved Special (Train No. 01461/01462) providing 184 trips. Solapur-Kalaburagi Daily Unreserved Special (Train No. 01463/01464) with 184 trips. Timetable Revision for Over 80 Trains: The Indian Railways has also revised the schedule of more than 80 trains across the Central Railway zone. These changes will take effect from October 5, 2024. Central Railway covers five divisions: Mumbai, Pune, Bhusawal, Solapur, and Nagpur. Additionally, 21 trains that previously started or ended at Dadar will now operate up to Parel. Trains originating or terminating at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) will be shifted to Dadar to reduce the operational load on CSMT. Indian Railways to Operate 6,000 Special Trains for Festive Season Delhi Airport Set to Introduce India's First Air Train by 2027 Safety Incidents on Indian Railways: Iron Rods Recovered in Bathinda and Gas Cylinder in Kanpur

CM Shinde seeks women's support for increasing Ladki Bahin aid to Rs 3,000

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said the financial assistance under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme could even be raised to Rs 3,000 if women in the state support his government. Shinde also wondered why the opposition was jealous over his government's welfare initiatives and exuded confidence that the ruling Mahayuti alliance of the Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP will retain power in the upcoming state elections. He was speaking on Tuesday at a congregation of seers at the Kanheri Math in Kolhapur on the occasion of the 'dharma dhwaj' inauguration. Under the Mahayuti government's flagship welfare scheme 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana', introduced ahead of the state polls, married, divorced, and destitute women aged 21-65 are receiving Rs 1,500 per month as stipend with the annual family income of beneficiaries capped at Rs 2.5 lakh. Shinde criticised the opposition for criticising the government over the Ladki Bahin scheme and asked why was it getting jealous. If the dear

Murdered his mother, chopped off her organs: Bombay HC upholds death sentence of man who cut his own mother into pieces, put her heart in a plate and ribs in a bottle

A division bench of the high court, comprising Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice PK Chavan, heard Sunil's appeal against the Kolhapur Sessions Court's death sentence verdict. The convict also did not appeal against his conviction and the death penalty.

Repair Belagavi-Kolhapur-Pune national highway immediately, PM, Gadkari urged

A member of State Level Committee on Implementation of Prime Ministers 15 Point Programme for welfare of minoritieshas shared his recent harrowing travel experience

1L love jihad cases, vote jihad in 14 seats: Fadnavis

Addressing a public event in Kolhapur city on Monday evening, Fadnavis pointed out instances wherein women were tricked into inter-faith marriage and subsequently abandoned after they gave birth to children.

High Court Confirms Death Penalty For Man Who Killed Mother, Ate Body Parts

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday confirmed the death penalty imposed by a Kolhapur court on a man for killing his mother in 2017 and allegedly eating some of the body parts, noting this was a case of cannibalism.