Telugu voters take part in Maha polls

Nizamabad: The Assembly elections and the byelection for the Nanded Parliament constituency in Maharashtra were conducted peacefully on Wednesday. Telugu-speaking voters in Maharashtra actively participated, while many migrant workers from Nizamabad district travelled back home to vote. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle from Beed, Ravi, a dry cleaner from Nizamabad, said his family temporarily closed their shop to exercise their voting rights. We returned home for three days to vote despite the intense political competition, he said. Some candidates reportedly arranged transport for Maharashtra natives in Nizamabad to polling stations in districts like Nanded, Latur, Beed, and Osmanabad. Vote counting is scheduled for November 23, with migrant workers expected to return after Sunday.

In Nanded bypoll, another key battle between Cong, BJP

Elect NDA in Maharashtra to protect Dharma: Dy CM Pawan Kalyan

VIJAYAWADA: Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan underscored the need for electing an NDA government in Maharashtra to safeguard Sanatan Dharma from divisive forces. He highlighted Maharashtras rich heritage, where many stalwarts have strived to protect the sanctity of Sanatana Dharma. The actor-turned-politician urged the people of Maharashtra to draw inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and protect Sanatana Dharma, which, he stated, could only be achieved under the leadership of the NDA. Over the last 10 years, the NDA has made India shine on the global stage. It is time to fight for the protection of Sanatana Dharma, the Marathi language, and the States culture, he said. Addressing a public meeting in Degloor Assembly constituency on Saturday as part of his campaign for the NDA in the Assembly elections, Pawan Kalyan received a traditional welcome from the family of NDA candidate Jitish Rao Saheb Antapurkar upon his arrival in Degloor. Pawan Kalyan asserted that Indias emergence as the third-largest economy in the world was possible only under the NDA regime. He also praised the Nagpur-to-Thane Samruddhi Mahamarg project, which, he said, has contributed significantly to Maharashtras overall development. I hold the highest regard for the land of the Marathas, which exemplifies the true meaning of Swaraj. This is the land of great leaders like Dr BR Ambedkar, he remarked. Pawan Kalyan lauded Balasaheb Thackerays dedication to protecting Sanatan Dharma. One of the seven tenets of Jana Sena nationalism combined with regionalism is inspired by Thackerays ideals, he said. He also emphasised that Thackerays spirit is reflected in the numerous policies implemented by the NDA. Listing the NDAs achievements, the actor-turned-politician highlighted the vision of making Maharashtra a strong economic powerhouse by 2028 and its crucial role in Indias journey to becoming a global superpower with a `5 trillion GDP. He appealed to the people of Degloor to elect Jitish Rao Saheb with a record majority, citing development initiatives like the Har Ghar Jal Yojana. Lambasting the Congress, the Deputy Chief Minister claimed that Sanatana Dharma and its followers faced a security crisis under its rule, pointing to incidents like the Palghar sadhu killings. The Congress government, in its bid to appease certain sections, failed to act against those responsible. Such governments are not what we need. We need a government that embodies the spirit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said, labelling Congress leaders as divisive forces. Pawan Kalyans slogans of Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji, Jai Maharashtra and his speech, interspersed with Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu, resonated well with the crowd. Later, he addressed election rallies at Bhokar in Nanded district.

Revanth to Leave Today for Maha Campaign

Hyderabad : Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is set to participate in the final phase of the Maharashtra Assembly election campaign this weekend. With the campaign deadline approaching on November 18 and polling scheduled for November 20, Revanth Reddys two-day visit underscores his role as a key Congress campaigner. The Chief Minister will leave Hyderabad on Saturday and reach Nagpur at 10 am. He will begin his campaign in Chandrapur. His schedule for the day includes campaign meetings and roadshows in Rajura, Digras, and Wardha constituencies, before returning to Nagpur for the night. On Sunday, Revanth Reddy will travel to Nanded and continue his campaign in Nayagaon, Bhokar, and Solapur Assembly constituencies. Revanth Reddys participation comes as the Congress intensifies its efforts in Maharashtra, with a list of 40 star campaigners released earlier by the high command. Revanth Reddy is only star campaigners for the Maharashtra poll. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has been appointed star campaigner for the Jharkhand elections. Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Dansari Anasuya (Seethakka) are All India Congress Committee (AICC) senior observers for Maharashtra, while Deputy CM Bhatti will oversee campaign efforts in Jharkhand. Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy are actively campaigning across Maharashtra

Pawan campaigns for NDA in Maharashtra, recalls Shivaji

Vijayawada: Jana Sena president and AP Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan campaigned for the NDA alliance at Degloor in the poll-bound Maharashtra state on Saturday. We are undertaking significant development programmes to transform Maharashtra into a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2028, he told the gathering. He underlined that Maharashtra will play a vital role in making India a three-trillion-dollar GDP nation. Pawan Kalyan will be campaigning in several Telugu-dominating places, as part of which he addressed a public meeting at Degloor. The Deputy CM said, I came to honour the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who taught us the meaning of fighting for our rights. I express my respect for the soil that imparted the concept of self-rule. I am here to pay tribute to the great land that became the Karmabhumi of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. In line with the values taught by Rani Mata Jijabai, I stand before you today. Pawan Kalyan sought support of people for NDA candidates contesting from Nanded Lok Sabha and Degloor assembly constituencies. He mentioned development programmes taken up by the NDA government in the last 10 years, like construction of 11,000 kilometres of roads, including the crucial 701-kilometre Samruddhi Mahamarg from Nagpur to Thane by India's Highway Man Nitin Gadkari. The Deputy Chief Minister, a popular actor, said fighting in movies is easy, but standing up for dharma in real life is difficult. The eternal dharma is strong; we must unite to protect Marathi language and culture, he stated Pawan Kalyan declared that the fortresses fought for by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stand guard over southern India, keeping invaders at bay and preventing the destruction of temples. I urge you to give solid support to the NDA alliance, he added.

Ponguleti Prays at Basar Before Maha Campaign

Adilabad: Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Saturday offered special pujas at the Basar Saraswati Temple before heading to Maharashtra's Bhokar in Nanded district to campaign for Congress candidate Tirupati Baburao Kadam Khodekar. Khodekar is contesting from the Bhokar Assembly constituency in the upcoming elections. Speaking to media in Basar, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced that the Telangana government is committed to allocating sufficient funds for the development of the Basar Saraswati Temple. He pledged to elevate the temple to the standards of the Bhadrachalam Ramachandra Swamy Temple, ensuring it becomes a major spiritual and cultural hub. The minister also emphasised the governments focus on education, highlighting plans to establish integrated schools with a budget of 150 crore each. These schools aim to provide education in government institutions on par with corporate schools. During his visit, RGUKT vice-chancellor N. Goverdhan briefed the minister about initiatives for the all-round development of the Basar IIIT. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan campaigned for BJP candidate Srijaya Chavan, daughter of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, in the Bhokar Assembly constituency.

Where did cash for Operation Lotus come from, CM Siddaramaiah asks BJP

BENGALURU/NANDED: Launching a sharp attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah raised a question: Where did thousands of crores of rupees come from to buy legislators for Operation Kamala? Speaking at a public rally in Nanded district, Maharashtra, Siddaramaiah demanded answers from the BJP, accusing the party of using enormous sums of money to poach MLAs and seize power through unethical means. The scathing remarks came during Siddaramaiahs campaign for Ravindra Chouhan for the Lok Sabha byelection, and Hanumantarao Patil for the Assembly bypolls in Maharashtra, where the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi is seeking to regain power. The CM accused the BJP of buying MLAs and illegally toppling governments in Karnataka and across the country. Siddaramaiah did not mince words, calling out BJP for its tricks to grab power through Operation Kamala. He recalled the 2008 and 2019 scandals, when the BJP allegedly spent crores of rupees to purchase MLAs, undermining the democratic process. Where is all this money coming from? Siddaramaiah questioned, demanding transparency. He said the BJP has made it a habit of seizing power through backdoor deals, rather than securing a legitimate mandate. Siddaramaiah tore into Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his frequent anti-corruption speeches, asserting that Modi has no moral authority to preach about corruption. He claimed that while Modi preaches about welfare schemes like Gareeb Kalyan Yojana, the BJPs actions paint a completely different picture.

CM Revanth to campaign in Maharashtra for 2 days

Hyderabad :Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is set to participate in the final phase of the Maharashtra Assembly election campaign this weekend. With the campaign deadline approaching on November 18 and polling scheduled for November 20, Revanth Reddys two-day visit underscores his role as a key Congress campaigner. The Chief Minister will leave Hyderabad on Saturday and reach Nagpur at 10 am. He will begin his campaign in Chandrapur. His schedule for the day includes campaign meetings and roadshows in Rajura, Digras, and Wardha constituencies, before returning to Nagpur for the night. On Sunday, Revanth Reddy will travel to Nanded and continue his campaign in Nayagaon, Bhokar, and Solapur Assembly constituencies. Revanth Reddys participation comes as the Congress intensifies its efforts in Maharashtra, with a list of 40 star campaigners released earlier by the high command. Revanth Reddy is only star campaigners for the Maharashtra poll. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has been appointed star campaigner for the Jharkhand elections. Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Dansari Anasuya (Seethakka) are All India Congress Committee (AICC) senior observers for Maharashtra, while Deputy CM Bhatti will oversee campaign efforts in Jharkhand. Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy are actively campaigning across Maharashtra. Historically, Telangana and Maharashtra share close geographical, social, and political ties. The undivided Adilabad and Nizamabad districts of Telangana border Maharashtra, and many residents from these districts have deep social and family connections with regions like Nanded, Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, and Solapur. A significant number of people from Adilabad and Nizamabad have also settled in these parts of Maharashtra. The Congress plans to capitalise on this by mobilising leaders and cadres from Telangana, especially from Adilabad and Nizamabad districts, to bolster support for the MVA alliance.

This govt handed over Dharavi to Adani: Rahul Gandhi at Nanded rally

PM Modi, while addressing a public rally in Shivaji Park in Mumbai, alleged that the Congress and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) seem focused on dividing people in the state

Rahul: MahaYuti snatched 5L jobs

MUMBAI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that five lakh jobs in Maharashtra were snatched as various big projects were shifted to other states. Rahul has made the shifting of development projects as a major election issue. Addressing a rally in Nandurbar, he said, Such arbitrary shifting is simply injustice. We will not allow it, he said. In Nanded, visited the government bus stand and distributed congress pamphlets detailing the partys guarantees. He met women passengers and promised that once the MVA government was elected, it would announce the bus travel free-of-cost to women passengers. PM Modi feels the red book of the Constitution he carries is blank because he has never read it. The BJP has objections to the red colour of the book (which Gandhi has been displaying in rallies). But for us, irrespective of the colour, we are committed to preserve it (Constitution) and ready to give up our lives too. Modi ji feels the Constitution (book) is blank because he has never read it, he said. He said the Constitution represents the soul of India, embodying the principles of national icons such as Birsa Munda, BR Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi. Rahul said his party wanted greater representation for adivasis, Dalits, and backward classes in decision-making.The senior Congress leader accused the BJP of insulting national icons and tribals by referring to them as vanvasi instead of adivasi. BJP insulting tribals Congress want greater representation for adivasis, Dalits, and backward classes in decision-making. He accused the BJP of insulting national icons and tribals by referring to them as vanvasi instead of adivasi.

Rahul Gandhi enjoys sugarcane juice at bus stand after poll rally

Nanded: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday had a glass of sugarcane juice at a street-side outlet and interacted with local women after a campaign rally here. Gandhi addressed a rally in this central Maharashtra city ahead of the November 20 state assembly elections. Afterwards, before going to the airport, his convoy headed to the 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 .

Why is BJP 'sponsoring Adani's Dharavi land grab,' making Mumbai lose projects to Gujarat: Congress asks PM

NEW DELHI: The Congress attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday by posing questions to him on Mumbai, asking why is the metropolis made to lose big-ticket projects to Gujarat and why is the BJP sponsoring Adani's Dharavi land grab. Ahead of Modi's poll engagement in Mumbai, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed five questions which he said the people are asking the PM. He asked whether the BJP is scared of losing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. The Mahayuti government's repeated delays in holding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections is a blatant attack on democracy and the rights of Mumbai's citizens. The government claims that the delays are due to issues like OBC reservations and ward delimitation but the reality is that the BJP was afraid of facing the electorate, fearing a loss that would undermine its image before the elections, Ramesh alleged in his post on X. With the BMC under an un-elected administrator, the ruling coalition has been using the civic body's funds and resources to benefit its own MLAs and supporters, he alleged. The non-biological PM is in Mumbai today. Five questions the people are asking him 1. Is the BJP scared of losing the BMC polls? The Mahayuti government's repeated delays in holding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections is a blatant attack on democracy and Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 14, 2024 Without elected representatives, Mumbai's citizens have also struggled to get their voices heard and grievances addressed by the BMC, Ramesh said. This is a clear attempt to consolidate power, and a blatant subversion of democratic principles. Why has the BJP betrayed the people of Mumbai? How much longer do the people have to wait to have their voices heard? he said. Ramesh further asked why is the BJP sponsoring Adani's Dharavi land-grab. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project has turned into a BJP-sponsored land grab for the non-biological PM's best friend, the Adani Group. The latest tender, floated by the Mahayuti government in September 2022, was allegedly geared specifically towards the Adani Group, the eventual winner, he alleged. The structure of the Adani-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established through this tender served to completely alienate Dharavi's seven lakh residents, he said. The share of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority was reduced to 20 per cent, the ability of residents to negotiate at the planning level was removed and the process of public debate and participation that had emerged from the start of the process was scrapped in its entirety, Ramesh said. The new tender has also gifted the Adani group an inordinate amount of valuable Transferable Development Rights (TDR) -- the original tender only awarded 5 crore square feet of TDR to the developer, but the Adani remaster has gifted the group a whopping 10.5 crore square feet, he said. Modi feels copy of Constitution I carry is blank as he has never read it: Rahul Gandhi While only 54,461 slum inhabitants and 9,522 residents living in chawls and buildings will receive homes within Dharavi according to the latest documents, Adani is anticipating astronomical profits and a profit margin that could be as high as 434 per cent, Ramesh claimed. A November 2023 notification issued by the Maharashtra government provided numerous additional concessions to the Adani group, including higher valuations for Dharavi TDR and a rule that 40% of all TDR used in any construction project in the city must come from Dharavi, he said. Just before it is set to lose power in the elections on November 20 (the day voting takes place in Maharashtra), the Mahayuti went on overdrive to clear permissions for the project in Dharavi, he claimed. This lucrative 'revdi' for the Adani Group comes at the expense of millions of Mumbaikars, not just the residents of Dharavi. Does the non-biological PM have any defence for the massive loot that he is orchestrating in full public gaze? Ramesh said. He also asked why was Mumbai made to lose so many big-ticket projects to Gujarat. Under BJP rule, many big-ticket projects that were best-suited to Mumbai's economy have been shifted to Gujarat, he alleged. Priyank Kharge slams Yogis remarks on family tragedy, says his father never used 'Razakars' for political gain Ramesh pointed out that an International Financial Services Center (IFSC) has been set up only in GIFT City in Gujarat despite Mumbai having been India's financial capital for almost 200 years. In 2006, then PM Manmohan Singh had begun the effort to set up the IFSC in Mumbai and land was also set aside for the project in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) but this was later reallocated to the bullet train, the Congress leader said. The PM's repeated refusal to set up the IFSC in Mumbai could end up costing the city up to 2 lakh jobs, he claimed, adding that Mumbai's diamond industry has faced a similar fate. He also flagged the issue of Mumbai's air pollution. Given the threat that air pollution poses to the lives of Mumbai's citizens, the Maharashtra government's callousness is truly appalling, the Congress leader said. He further asked why are Mumbai's local trains getting more crowded and unsafe. Despite how crucial the local trains are for Mumbaikars, they have only faced neglect in the last ten years, Ramesh said. Earlier in the day, ahead of Prime Minister Modi's rallies in Maharashtra, Ramesh posed three questions to him, including what is his vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. Why is the Mahayuti and the Union Government keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Ramesh asked. He further asked what is Modi's vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. He also asked why the Indian Railways performed so poorly in the Nanded division. The railway infrastructure in Nanded division, which serves many areas in Marathwada, has been subjected to blatant neglect by the Modi government, he claimed. His remarks come amid campaigning for the upcoming voting in Maharashtra. The counting of votes will take place on November 23. Why Mahayuti, Union govt keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji: Congress to PM Modi

South Central Railway To Run 26 Sabarimala Special Trains

Hyderabad: In order to clear extra rush, South Central Railway (SCR) will run 26 Sabarimala special trains between various destinations. Here is the list of trains: Kacheguda Kottayam (07131) will run on November 17 and 24 Kottayam Kacheguda (07132) will run on November 18 and 25 Kacheguda Kottayam (07133) will run on November 14, 21 and 28 Kottayam Kacheguda ((07134) will run on November 15, 22 and 29 Hyderabad - Kottayam (07135) will run on November 19 and 26 Kottayam Hyderabad (07136) will run on November 20 and 27 Hyderabad Kottayam (07137) will run on November 15, 22 and 29 Kottayam Secunderabad (07138) will run on November 16, 23 and 30 Nanded Kollam (07139) will run on November 16 Kollam - Secunderabad (07140) will run on November 18 Moula Ali Kollam (07141) will run on November 23 and 30 Kollam - Moula Ali (07142) will run on November 25 and December 2

Why Mahayuti, Union govt keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji: Congress to PM Modi

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by posing questions to him on Maharashtra and asked why the Mahayuti and the Union governments keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Ahead of Prime Minister Modi's rallies in Maharashtra, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed three questions to him, including what is his vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. Why is the Mahayuti and the Union Government keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Ramesh asked. Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - one of India's greatest sons, whom the Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra and its patron in New Delhi have been undermining, Ramesh said in a post on X. Seven years ago, the PM laid the foundation stone for a 696-feet statue of Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai but it has since been silently abandoned by his government, he said. In a petty effort to spite the people of Maharashtra after their stinging debacle on June 4th, they removed the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from its place of prominence outside the Parliament House, Ramesh alleged. BJP leaders, in their attempts to ingratiate themselves to the self-proclaimed divinity, have belittled the Chhatrapati by comparing him to the non-biological PM, he said. The Mahayuti didn't even spare the Chhatrapati from its extortion and loot. The non-biological PM is in Maharashtra today. Three questions for him 1. Why is the Mahayuti and the Union Government keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj one of Indias greatest sons, whom the Mahayuti Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 14, 2024 The 35-ft statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg was made so shoddily that it collapsed within a year of its inauguration by the non-biological PM himself, Ramesh said. What is the source of this hatred and constant attempt to belittle the Chhatrapati, he asked. What hope can the Aam Aadmi have from a man who has given jumlas even to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? the Congress leader said. Uddhav Thackeray slams BJP, says Modi wants to use Shivaji Maharaj as vote machine He further asked what is Modi's vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. In 2019, then Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promised a Rs 20,000 to 25,000 crore package to build a water grid from Marathwada that would supply piped drinking water to every village, he pointed out. Summer this year marked five years of this promise - and it was one of the most water-scarce years that Marathwada has faced, Ramesh said. More than 600 villages and 178 hamlets in Marathwada were dependent on water tankers amidst an acute drinking water shortage, he said. Only 19% drinking water was left in reservoirs. What has the BJP done to tackle water scarcity in Marathwada? Will the non-biological PM ever take responsibility for his and his party's failures? the Congress leader said. He also asked why the Indian Railways performed so poorly in the Nanded division. Railway infrastructure in Nanded division, which serves many areas in Marathwada, has been subjected to blatant neglect by the Modi government, he claimed. According to data furnished by the South Central Railway (SCR) in 2021, Nanded has only 35km of route electrification and only 83km of track doubling. This puts it at the bottom in terms of electrification and only marginally ahead of the bottom in track doubling compared to other SCR divisions, Ramesh said. Additionally, it is the only division in its zone that still has 130km of colonial-era meter-gauge tracks, he said. Every election season, Mr.Modi is happy to come to Marathwada and ask for votes but the area never sees the progress and development that he speaks of. Why has crucial railway infrastructure been neglected in Nanded? Does the non-biological PM have any real vision for bringing development to the Marathwada region? Ramesh said. His remarks come amid campaigning for the November 20 polls in Maharashtra. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

Telangana Congress Leaders Woo Telugu Voters in Maharashtra

Adilabad: Telangana Congress leaders, including minister for rural development Seethakka; MPs Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy and Mallu Ravi; MLAs; and Girijan Cooperative Finance Development Corporation chairman Kotnak Thirupati, have been campaigning for the party candidates in the Assembly elections in Maharashtra. The Congress leaders of Telangana have intensified the campaign as November 18 is the last date for campaigning, and elections will be held on November 20. The Telangana leaders are campaigning in Assembly segments where the Telugu people and adivasi population are significant. Seethakka is campaigning for party candidates in the Nandurbar, Akkalkuwa, Sakri, Navapur, and Shahada Assembly seats in Maharashtra. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address public meetings in Nandurbar and Nanded on November 14. Senior Congress leader Mohd Ali Shabbir is monitoring the meeting in Nanded. Congress leaders Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy of Bhuvanagiri, Mallu Ravi of Nagarkurnool, and Kata Megha Reddy of Wanaparthy, along with AICCs SC, ST, and OBC departments coordinator Koppula Raju, have been campaigning in Yavatmal, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli districts in Maharashtra. Congress leaders are also campaigning for party candidate Jithender Shivaji Moghe from the Arni Assembly seat. He is the son of AICCs adivasi cell national chairman Shivajirao Moghe. Congress leaders, including Boath Assembly in-charge Ade Gajender and senior leader Naresh Jadhav, campaigned for the party candidates in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, BJP leaders Payal Shankar and Adilabad MP Godam Nagesh are campaigning for their party candidates in Chandrapur district.

Husband vs wife, uncle vs nephew: Families battle their own in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Amid parties accusing rivals of promoting dynastic politics, the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls will see brothers, cousins and father-children in the fray, with members of the same family taking on each other in some seats. In one constituency, the battle is between husband and wife, while another seat has an uncle and nephew pitted against each other. In the high stakes battle of Pawars, debutant Yugendra Pawar, the candidate of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), will take on his uncle and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, representing the NCP, in Baramati seat. Ajit Pawar has won the Baramati assembly poll seven times and also once bagged the Baramati parliamentary seat. This is the second time that Baramati, the bastion of Pawars, will see a contest within the family. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the deputy CM's wife Sunetra Pawar was defeated by his cousin and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule in the Baramati parliamentary seat. In the neighbouring Karjat-Jamkhed, Rohit Pawar, another nephew of Ajit Pawar is in the fray as the NCP (SP) candidate against BJP's Ram Shinde. Rohit Pawar is the grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar. In the Kannad constituency in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, independent candidate Harshwardhan Jadhav is pitted against his estranged wife and Shiv Sena candidate Sanjana Jadhav, the daughter of BJP leader and former Union minister Raosaheb Danve. Sanjana Jadhav's brother Santosh Danve is contesting from Bhokardan in Jalna as the BJP candidate. Congress candidates Amit Deshmukh and Dhiraj Deshmukh, sons of former state chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, are in the poll race from Latur City and ajoining Latur Rural seats, respectively. Similarly, Nitesh Rane and Nilesh Rane, sons of BJP MP and former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane, are in the fray from Kudal and Kankavli constituencies as Shiv Sena and BJP nominees, respectively. In Mumbai, the Thackeray cousins are in the fray from different seats. While sitting Shiv Sena (UBT) sitting MLA Aaditya Thackeray is re-contesting from Worli, his maternal cousin Varun Sardesai is contesting from Vandre (Bandra) East assembly seat on the party's ticket. Aaditya's cousin Amit Thackeray, the son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena head Raj Thackeray, is contesting from neighbouring Mahim seat in Mumbai. Former Maharashtra minister Ganesh Naik is contesting from Airoli seat as a BJP candidate, while his son Sandeep is in the fray from the neighbouring Belapur constituency as NCP (SP) candidate. Similarly, Maharashtra minister Vijaykumar Gavit and his daughter and former MP Heena Gavit are also in the poll race. While senior Gavit is contesting as the BJP candidate from Nandurbar seat, his daughter is in the fray from neighbouring Akkalkuwa constituency as an independent. In Islampur, NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil is in the fray, while his nephew and former Maharashtra minister Prajakt Tanpure is contesting from Rahuri on the party's ticket. NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal is contesting from Yevala, while his nephew and former MP Sameer Bhujbal is in the fray from Nandgaon seat as an independent. BJP's Mumbai president Ashish Shelar is in the fray from Mumbai's Vandre (Bandra) West, a constituency known to be the home of several Bollywood personalities, while his brother and party candidate Vinod Shelar is contesting from Malad West. BJP's Santukrao Hambarde is contesting the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, while his brother and sitting MLA Mohanrao Hambarde is contesting the assembly polls from Nanded South assembly seat as a Congress candidate. The Nanded Lok Sabha byelection, necessitated due to the death of sitting Congress MP Vasantrao Chavan, is scheduled on November 20.

Due To Art 370 Abrogation, Diwali Celebrated, Tricolor Hoisted At Lal Chowk

Nanded: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday claimed that Congress hates OBCs as it can not come to terms with the fact that a person from Backward Classes is at the helm of the country. Division among Dalits, Adivasis and Backward Classes suits Congress politics, but due to their unity it is losing its support []

Congress hates OBCs as it cannot stand PM from backward classes leading country: Modi

NANDED, Nov 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday claimed that Congress hates OBCs as it can not come to terms with the fact that a person from Backward Classes is at the helm of the country. Division among Dalits, Adivasis and Backward Classes suits Congress politics, but due to their unity it is losing [] The post Congress hates OBCs as it cannot stand PM from backward classes leading country: Modi appeared first on Northlines .

Congress cannot tolerate an OBC Prime Minister: Modi

PM accuses Congress of provoking a fight between OBC communities to weaken them; claims Congress betrayed the Constitution by opposing the abrogation of Article 370, blames Congress for farmers woes in Nanded

PM slams Congress over Article 370 resolution in J&K Assembly

A day after kick starting his Maharashtra Assembly election campaign, Mr. Modi held rallies in Akola and Nanded

Congress hates OBCs as it can't stand PM from Backward Classes, claims Modi in Maharashtra poll rally

NANDED: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday claimed that Congress hates OBCs as it cannot come to terms with the fact that a person from Backward Classes is at the helm of the country. Division among Dalits, Adivasis and Backward Classes suits Congress' politics, but due to their unity, it is losing its support base, he said, speaking at a campaign rally here for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections and Nanded Lok Sabha by-poll. It suits the Congress' politics if Dalits, Adivasis and Backward Classes are divided. Its game plan is to divide you into different groups and communities,' he said. Congress hates the OBCs because it cannot digest the fact that an OBC is the prime minister for ten years and working by taking everyone along, Modi said. They want to divide the OBC communities into small castes and snatch the power of their unity. If it happens, Congress will snatch the reservation, he alleged. Efforts to divide people on caste lines and deprive them of reservation were made by leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, he claimed. There is a wave in favour of the 'Mahayuti' alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, he claimed, adding that its goal is 'Viksit Bharat' . Hence, the BJP and its allies are chosen by the people again and again. In the Lok Sabha elections, Nanded did not vote for us. I hope you will bless me now, he said, referring to the defeat of the BJP's Pratap Chikhlikar by Congress' Vasant Chavan. Congress-ruled states ATM for partys 'royal family', MVA symbol of corruption: Modi claims in poll rally In the Haryana elections, the BJP created history by winning the highest number of seats, the prime minister said, adding that the people of Maharashtra were set to repeat the history. Wherever I have gone in Maharashtra in the last two months, I have this feeling that whatever couldn't be done in the Lok Sabha elections will be corrected in the assembly polls, he said. Today, there is only one slogan on everyone's lips: BJP-Mahayuti ahe, tar gati ahe. Maharashtraachi pragati ahe (Only BJP-Mahayuti will ensure Maharashtra's speedy progress, he added. BJP and its allies won 17 of 48 seats in Maharashtra in the general elections. Congress was the root cause of the troubles of farmers in Marathwada, but under the rule of the BJP and its allies, several steps were taken to ease the problem of water scarcity and drought, the PM said. The Marathwada water grid scheme was started by the earlier BJP-led government, but the Maha Vikas Aghadi regime stopped it, he claimed, adding that the Mahayuti government revived it. Farmers' interests are the most important priority, and they have been benefiting due to several welfare schemes and financial aid. In the last two years, Rs 80,000 crore-worth investment has come to Marathwada alone. The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor has given a new identity to Marathwada. The rail coach factory, logistics park, Shakti-peeth Expressway have opened new avenues of employment, Modi added. Women's empowerment was also a priority for the Mahayuti and the Union government, he said, as he listed women-centric development schemes such as PM Awas Yojana and schemes for toilets, water and electricity connections and LPG. Modi thinks big, as (during his tenure) never-before initiatives like making three crore women 'lakhpati Didis' were taken, the prime minister said. Congress governments were involved in several scams, but now they have crossed all limits and broken their own record, he said, while also accusing its leaders of flaunting Constitution copies with blank pages during the ongoing campaign in Maharashtra. The red book is blank with not a word of Ambedkar's Constitution inside. It is an example of how much they hate Ambedkar, he said. Modi also accused Congress of wanting to implement its own Constitution instead of the one drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar. The first time Congress did this was during Emergency, and now it was doing the same thing by distributing blank Constitution copies, he claimed. Congress betrayed the Constitution by not implementing it in Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister said. The Jammu and Kashmir Constitution was different, and (the state) had a separate flag. There were no rights for Dalits. In Kashmir, Congress supported two constitutions, and in Maharashtra they talk of Ambedkar's Constitution, he said. The barrier of Article 370 was broken by the BJP government, but Congress and its allies want to revive it, Modi alleged. Congress loves Article 370 while we love Jammu and Kashmir. Due to the abrogation of Article 370, terrorism was crushed, Diwali was celebrated, and the national flag was hoisted at the Lal Chowk, he claimed. Democracy has been strengthened in Kashmir and Dalits have got their rights for the first time, he said, adding Pakistan and Congress have not liked it. Congress and its allies are running Pakistan's agenda in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. Will any patriotic person forgive Congress for this sin? Will you punish Congress in the election? the PM asked, apparently referring to the passage of the resolution seeking restoration of Article 370 in the J&K assembly. In a veiled swipe at former ally Uddhav Thackeray, he said Maharashtra is the land of patriotic people, and those who compromise on the nation's interest for politics and betray late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's legacy should be taught a lesson. Byelection to Nanded Lok Sabha seat was necessitated by the death of Congress MP Vasant Chavan. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and BJP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Chavan were also present at the rally.

Cong Losing Support Due To Unity Of SCs, STs, Dalits, Adivasis: PM Modi

Nanded, Nov 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Congress has been losing its support base over the years due to the unity of SCs, STs, Dalits and Adivasis. Congress people are showing a red book labelled Constitution of India with blank pages inside, Modi said, addressing an election rally at Nanded in Maharashtra. Why are the Congress people so much in love with Article 370, Modi asked, referring to the demand by the opposition party to restore [] The post Cong Losing Support Due To Unity Of SCs, STs, Dalits, Adivasis: PM Modi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Maharashtra Assembly elections: Jairam Ramesh lashes out BJP on water crisis, caste census

Jairam Ramesh charged four questions for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is holding rallies in Nanded and Akola on November 9, 2024

Modi Calls Congress Jhooth ki Dukaan, Says Ek Hain toh Safe Hain

MUMBAI: Prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday attacked Congress on its election promises saying the grand old party has opened. jhooth ki dukaan (shop of lies) in Maharashtra like the other states where it is ruling. He also alleged that schemes designed by the Congress governments have been implemented to allow the party to indulge in maximum corruption. In Maharashtra, the Congress has only one option available to fight the BJP on the development plank in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha polls. It has opened a jhooth ki dukaan, wherein it is making false promises to the people of Maharashtra, Mr. Modi said while addressing a rally at Nashik. The PM said the grand old party made similar promises to people in states like Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. The Congress opened jhooth ki dukaan in these states where it is ruling. But that shop is on the verge of shutting down as the Congress does not have money to run the government (schemes) and pay salaries to their employees. The schemes designed by the Congress governments are intended to indulge in maximum corruption, he added. Mr. Modis attack comes on the backdrop of BJPs campaign in Maharashtra accusing the Congress of not fulfilling the guarantees given during the Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections and betraying the people. He also said the Congress wants to shut the popular Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme of the Mahayuti in which Rs 1,500 per month is being given to women in the state. Every woman should be cautious of them. They cant tolerate our popular scheme, he said. The PM alleged that for many decades, Congress gave the slogan of eradicating poverty but the poor remained dependent for food, clothes and shelter. However, 25 crore people have been freed from the clutches of poverty in the last 10 years, he claimed. Addressing a rally in Dhule earlier in the day, the promised continued development for the state under the Mahayuti government.He accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc parties of plotting against Kashmir after a recent ruckus in the J&K assembly over a resolution calling for the restoration of Article 370. The PM appealed to Dalits, tribals, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to stay united, coining the slogan Ek hain toh safe hain (Together, we are safe). If STs (Scheduled Tribes), SCs (Scheduled Castes), and OBCs stay united, the politics of Congress will be over. The Congress has become parasitic and is surviving on crutches. It can contest polls only with the support of other parties, it cannot stand on its own and hence to survive, it has resorted to its oldest tactic of dividing SCs, STs, and OBCs by sowing seeds of discord among them to weaken their unity, he said. Mr. Modi dared Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders to publicly praise Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. He asked Uddhav Thackeray to make then do so, saying Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly insulted Savarkar despite being in alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT). How can he (Uddhav) align with the Congress, which neither respects Savarkar nor Balasaheb? the PM asked. The Congress has reacted sharply to Mr. Modis jhooth ki dukaan barb calling it a false propaganda. To counter it, the grand old party has summoned the heads of its ruling states to Mumbai. Telangana and Himachal Pradesh chief ministers Revanth Reddy and Sukhvinder Sukhu and Karnataka deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar will hold a joint Press Conference in Mumbai on Saturday to expose BJPs fake narrative, said the party leader. To counter BJPs fake narrative and present the truth to the people of Maharashtra, Reddy, Sukhu and Shivakumar will expose BJP's lies, he added. On Thursday, the Congress party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, demanding action against the BJP. This is an attempt by the BJP to spread false propaganda against the Congress. Despite being in power at the centre for 10 years and in the state for seven and a half years, the BJP has nothing significant to show in terms of achievements. Since they cannot gain votes based on work, the BJP has resorted to spreading rumours and false propaganda, said the party leader. Mr. Modi will hold two more rallies in Akola and in Nanded on Saturday. On November 12, he will address rallies in Chimur and Solapur and join a roadshow in Pune in the evening. His final rallies are planned for November 14 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Raigad, and Mumbai. Voting for the 288-seat Maharashtra state legislative assembly will take place in a single phase on November 20 and results will be announced three days later on November 23.

Maharashtra election: PM Modi to address nine rallies in state in a week; first public meeting on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold nine rallies across Maharashtra over the next week as part of the BJP's campaign for the upcoming state assembly elections. His first rally will be in Dhule on Friday, followed by public meetings in Nashik, Akola, and Nanded. Modi will also participate in a roadshow in Pune on November 12.

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

Parties in Maharashtra have no ideology left in them, says Akbaruddin Owaisi

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on Tuesday accused the political parties in Maharashtra of having no ideology left in them, and said he was being labelled as communal by those who indulge in divisive politics. He also asserted that the country belongs equally to all communities - those wearing turbans and skullcaps and those who sport a tilak on their foreheads. Owaisi, who is All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)'s MLA from Telangana, was speaking at a public rally at the Amkhas Maidan here to campaign for his party candidates Imtiaz Jaleel, contesting the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls from Aurangabad East, and Naser Siddiqui from Aurangabad Central. Our party (AIMIM) raises the voice of Muslims, Dalits, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Marathas. I don't give provocative speeches. Those who talk about 'batoge to katoge' (divided we lose) call me communal, he said. Mob lynching, 'ghar wapsi', discourse on cap and beard and differentiating between Hindus and Muslims - don't such things make the country weak?, he asked, and said this country belongs equally to those who wear turbans, apply tilak on their forehead and those who wear (skull) caps on their head. Owaisi, whose party is headquartered in Hyderabad, also hit out at the prominent political parties in Maharashtra. There were four key political parties in 2019. But now there are two Shiv Senas and two NCPs. These parties joined hands with those having different ideologies. But did the Congress teach secularism to its alliance partner Shiv Sena (UBT) or did the latter teach Hindutva to the Congress. There is no party left with any ideology in Maharashtra, he said. He urged Maratha, Muslim and Dalit communities to unite for the development of the Marathwada region. Those leading the Maratha quota agitation should also see that not only their community but the Marathwada region is also backward. We should work together for its development, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Jaleel said, I am contesting the election from a constituency where the highest number of Muslim candidates are in the poll fray. The political rivals are coming together to defeat me. Even Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is visiting the constituency to campaign against me. I appeal to him to have 'naan qalia' (a local non-veg dish) in the city and leave. Maharashtra Assembly polls: 33 contestants in fray for Nanded North seat

Maharashtra Assembly polls: 33 contestants in fray for Nanded North seat

MUMBAI : The Nanded North seat in Maharashtra has the highest number of 33 candidates in the fray, while Shahada in Nandurbar district has the lowest three contestants, as per figures provided by the Election Commission. There are 4,140 candidates in the fray for the total 288 Maharashtra assembly seats which will go to polls on November 20, it said. Maharashtra has more than 9.7 crore voters, of whom 22,22,704 are in the age group of 18-19 years, an Election Commission (EC) official on Tuesday said, citing updated electoral rolls. Election Commission orders immediate transfer of Maharashtra DGP ahead of state polls As per the electoral rolls updated on October 30, the state has 9,70,25,119 voters, including 5,00,22,739 men and 4,49,96,279 women. The state has 6,101 transgender voters, 6.41 lakh divyang (persons with disabilities) and 1.16 lakh service electors, said Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Chockalingam. In order to boost the voter turnout, the poll body will set up 1,181 polling stations in high-rises and residential complexes in Mumbai, Thane and Pune, he said. Similarly, 210 polling stations will be established in slums, the CEO said. There are enough EVMs in the state. For 1,00,186 polling stations, there are 2,21,600 ballot units, 1,21,886 control units and 1,32,094 VVPATs, he informed. For the state's 288 assembly seats, there are 142 general observers, 41 police observers and 71 expenditure supervisors, the CEO said. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

Maharashtra assembly elections 2024: 33 contestants in Nanded North seat

Maharashtra has more than 9.7 crore voters, of whom 22,22,704 are in the age group of 18-19 years, an Election Commission (EC) official on Tuesday said, citing updated electoral rolls

Maharashtra polls: 33 contestants in Nanded North seat, 3 in Shahada

Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held on November 20. 4,140 candidates will contest for 288 seats. Nanded North seat has the highest number of candidates at 33. Shahada seat has the lowest with only three candidates. Over 9.7 crore voters will cast their votes. This includes 22,22,704 first-time voters aged 18-19.

Mumbai, Pune & Nagpur See Over 50% Spike In PM2.5 Levels As Pollution Peaks After Diwali

Tier II cities like Dhule, Nanded, and Pimpri-Chinchwad topped pollution levels, showing air quality concerns beyond major urban areas

NETA NATTER | ETALA THE BJP AMBASSADOR

Etala Rajendars assimilation into BJP philosophy, culture and tradition and practices appears to be complete. Etala who joined the TRS in 2003 was by then a recognised student leader with a strong left wing ideology. When he joined the BJP in 2021, it was to the other end of the political spectrum. Since his switch to the saffron party, he has slowly transformed, not just in thought and speech, but in dressing too. At a recent protest meeting of the BJP to extend support to Musi river project victims, Etala turned up with a saffron coloured waist-coat, leaving some wondering when he would don a RSS uniform and attend a RSS Shakha activity. MPs, MLAs DEPUTED TO INTER-STATE PARTY DUTY Gone are the days when a politician could take a break from the hurly burly of electioneering. After all, once the polls are over, one gets a five-year break. But that was then. Now, things are different with leaders from one state getting deputed to others as constituency in-charges, or with some other election-related duty in states going to the polls. And with demand for Telugu-speaking leaders from Telangana pretty high in Nanded, Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts and also in Mumbai, Pune, Sholapur and Nagpur cities, leaders from Telangana may be tramping through Maharashtra. Roughing it out on the trail for them can either be a perk if their party wins in the constituency they have been deployed or, if it loses, it can be a reflection of what kind of a job they did. Among those facing this situation is Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind campaigning in Nanded Parliament constituency going for a bypoll along with the Maharashtra Assembly elections, while BJP MLA Dhanpal Suryanarayana Gupta has also been sent to encourage Telugu voters there to support his party. Among the other notables in Maharashtra doing duty for their party are minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Congress MLA P. Sudarshan Reddy, who represents Bodhan Assembly constituency in Nizamabad district that borders Maharashtra. POOR SHOW AT FIRECRACKER BOUT Once a leader we all know how that saying goes, or rather how a once leader feels about the issue. Such is the case with Kakinada former MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy of the YSRC around whom local politics are expected to pivot, and with some good reason too, at least as far as local Jana Sena cadres are concerned, with allegations that the current Kakinada MLA of the TD, Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao (Kondababu), is a front for the former MLA and that the two leaders have business dealings. The fuse had been burning for a while but the issue blew up recently after the Kondababu group allegedly exerted pressure on officials to allocate a Diwali cracker shop on the busy Main Road, which of course, the officials refused to. To save face, the TD workers launched a protest against the Jana Senas Kakinada Lok Sabha member T. Uday Srinivas alleging that he was in league with Dwarampudi and hence the cracker shop was not permitted. In the end, the brouhaha between the TD and its ally Jana Sena turned out to be a dud with Kondababu enigmatically smiling away at the question of the cracker shop. ROW AMONG TD AND JANA SENA? The row between TD activists and Jana Sena MLA Lokam Madhavi, representing Nellimarla in Vizianagaram district, considered a wealthy member in the Assembly, reached a peak in the recent zilla parishad meeting. Madhavi, not used to instant political pandemoniums, walked out of a meeting in a huff after TD leaders attacked her for ignoring them. The trouble began when Markfed chairman Karothu Bangarraju raised a question on a local problem addressing the MLA, and Madhavi, instead of responding, asked him to wait. This angered Bangarraju and his followers who began protesting, resulting in Madhavi walking off from the meeting in a huff. POLITICOS BATTLE IT OUT OVER COTTON Politicians are good at jumping on to the bandwagon if that means some benefit for themselves among the public. And, in Adilabad, the issue is all about cotton. A fresh fight is raging between BRS and BJP leaders in the district over cotton prices. Not the ones that are being offered in Adilabad but what they are in Gujarat. Former BRS minister Jogu Ramanna has been at it, after BJP leaders began saying that farmers in Gujarat were getting Rs 8,000 per quintal for the fluffy crop, but in Adilabad it was just Rs 6,500 for the same quality of cotton. At the receiving end of Jogus diatribe are BJP MLA Payal Shankar and Adilabad MP Godam Nagesh, being accused of failing to ensure Gujarat cotton prices to Adilabad cotton farmers and how they failed to do so by failing to impress the Central government on the issue. Payals protestations that Gujarat and Telangana are different and cant be compared even when it comes to the price of cotton, at least for now, has not bailed out the BJP leaders with Jogu still after them on the issue. Contributions from K.M.P. Patnaik, Vadrevu Srinivas, Narender Pulloor, Pillalamarri Srinivas, Neeraj Kumar.

MVA Kicks Off First Joint Rally for Maharashtra Polls Today

Mumbai : The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will hold its first joint rally on Thursday for the Maharashtra Assembly election in Mumbai. At the rally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge will announce the Congresss guarantees in the presence of Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the event will be held at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in the evening. Mr Gandhi will be on a one-day visit to Maharashtra. He will first participate in the Sanvidhan Bachao meeting in Nagpur in the morning. After that, he will attend the MVAs joint rally at the BKC, he said. In the past, the Congress released its guarantee cards, containing poll promises for the 2024 general election and several recent state Assembly elections. Among the MVA allies, the Congress is contesting the highest number of seats (103) in Maharashtra, followed by the Shiv Sena(UBT) 89 and the NCP(SP) 87 seats. Six seats have been given to other MVA allies, while there is no clarity on three Assembly segments. According to reports, the MVA allies have also fielded candidates against each other in at least six seats. Congresss Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged misunderstanding, but insisted there are no rifts between the MVA allies. He claimed that the Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP is having a major internal fight. There are no issues among us. We are ready to fight the Assembly election even today. We have given equal treatment to all alliance partners, Mr Chennithala said. Taking a dig at the Mahayuti, the Congress leader said that it was the BJP fighting all seats in Maharashtra. He pointed out that several BJP leaders, including ministers and lawmakers, have joined either the Shiv Sena or the NCP and they have been declared the official candidates of the two parties. Former BJP MP from Sangli, Sanjaykaka Patil and the partys Sangli district president Nishikant Bhosale Patil will be contesting the Assembly election as NCP candidates from the Tasgaon and Islampur seats, respectively. The Ajit Pawar-led party has also fielded former BJP MP Pratap Patil-Chikhalikar, who lost the 2024 election from the Nanded Lok Sabha seat, from the Loha Assembly seat. Former BJP minister Rajkumar Badole is the NCP candidate from the Arjuni-Morgaon seat. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has fielded former BJP spokesperson N.C. Shaina from the Mumbadevi seat and former BJP MP Rajendra Gavit from the Palghar Assembly constituency. Mahayuti members are fighting amongst themselves. They are fighting from each other's quotas. The BJP leaders are fighting under the Shiv Sena and the NCP symbols. Actually, it is the BJP that is fighting alone. Mr Shinde and Mr Pawar are finished, Mr Chennithala said.

Rahul Gandhi to declare Congress guarantees for Maharashtra poll

Mumbai : Maha Vikas Aghadi will hold its first joint rally on Thursday for the Maharashtra Assembly election in Mumbai. In the rally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge will announce Congresss guarantees in the presence of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the event will be held at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in the evening. Rahul Gandhi will be on a one-day visit to Maharashtra. He will first participate in the Sanvidhan Bachao meeting in Nagpur in the morning. After that he attend the MVAs joint rally at the BKC, he said. In the past, Congress released its Guarantee Cards containing poll promises for the 2024 General election and various recent state assembly elections. In the MVA, the Congress is contesting the highest number of seats (103) followed by the Shiv Sena (UBT) 89 and NCP (SP) 87 seats. Six seats have been given to other MVA allies, while there was no clarity on three assembly segments. According to reports, the MVA allies have also fielded candidates against each other from at least six seats. Congresss Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala acknowledged misunderstanding, but insisted there were no rifts between the MVA allies. He claimed that the Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP is having a major internal fight. There are no issues among us. We are ready to fight the Assembly election even today. We have given equal treatment to all alliance partners, Mr. Chennithala said. Taking a dig at the Mahayuti, the Congress leader said that it was the BJP fighting all seats in Maharashtra. He pointed out that several BJP leaders, including ministers and lawmakers, have joined either the Shiv Sena or NCP and they have been declared the official candidates of the two parties. Former BJP MP from Sangli, Sanjaykaka Patil and partys Sangli district president Nishikant Bhosale Patil will be contesting the Assembly election as NCP candidates from the Tasgaon and Islampur seats respectively. The Ajit Pawar-led party has also fielded former BJP MP Pratap Patil-Chikhalikar, who lost the 2024 election from the Nanded Lok Sabha seat, from the Loha Assembly seat. Former BJP minister Rajkumar Badole is the NCP candidate from the Arjuni-Morgaon seat. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has fielded former BJP spokesperson NC Shaina from the Mumbadevi seat and former BJP MP Rajendra Gavit from the Palghar Assembly constituency. Mahayuti members are fighting amongst themselves. They are fighting from each other's quotas. BJP leaders are fighting under Shiv Sena and NCP symbols. Actually, it is the BJP that is fighting alone. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar are finished,Mr. Chennithala said.

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

Maharashtra polls: BJP names 2 more candidates; count reaches 148

On the last day of nomination filing, BJP announced two more candidates for the Maharashtra assembly elections, increasing their total to 148. The party also allocated four assembly seats to its allies within the Mahayuti alliance. Additionally, BJP fielded Dr Santuk Marotrao Hambarde for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, following the demise of Congress leader Vasant Chavan.

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.

Dynastic politics dominates Maharashtra Assembly elections

Mumbai :In a clear sign that dynastic policy is dominating Maharashtra in a big way, all the major parties have abundantly allocated tickets to the kins of politicians in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha polls. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins and members of extended family - have been clearly given preference by the parties over the ordinary party members while allotting tickets for the polls. They include the ruling Maha Yuti comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP as well as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP). In several cases, more than one member of the family has been given a ticket, by the same party or the other party. The most prominent case of dynastic politics will be the Baramati constituency due to the battle within the Pawar family. The rule of NCP chief Ajit Pawar, the seven-time MLA and states Deputy Chief Minister, has been challenged by his nephew Yugendra Pawar, the son of Ajits brother Shriniwas Pawar, who has been fielded by Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP). In addition to this, all eyes will be on the battles of Worli and Mahim constituencies in Mumbai, from where Uddhav Thackerays son Aaditya and MNS chief Raj Thackerays son Amit will be contesting respectively. In an interesting case, Navi Mumbai strongman Ganesh Naik and his son Sandeep Naik are contesting from different parties in different constituencies. While Ganesh Naik is contesting as a BJP nominee from the Airoli seat, Sandeep has been given a ticket by the NCP (SP) from the Belapur constituency. Former union minister Narayan Ranes son Nitesh Rane has been fielded by the BJP from the Kankavli seat in the Sindhudurg district in the coastal Konkan region. Niteshs brother Nilesh Rane has joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and is contesting from the Malvan seat. Similarly the Shinde Sena has also fielded state industries minister Uday Samant and his brother Kiran from the Ratnagiri and Rajapur seats respectively. In Mumbai, the BJP has renominated party's Mumbai President Ashish Shelar from Vandre West constituency while his brother Vinod Shelar has been fielded from the Malad West seat. Shreejaya Chavan, the daughter of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who recently joined the BJP, has been nominated by the saffron party from the Bhokar in Nanded district. In Kalyan East, where MLA Ganpat Gaikwad was involved in a firing incident in police station and is currently in jail has been replaced by his wife Sulabha Gaikwad.

Ajit Pawars Candidates Have BJPs Stamp of Approval

Mumbai: It appears that apart from selecting its own candidates, the BJP is also providing candidates to its alliance partner NCP for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election. Ajit Pawars party on Friday inducted five leaders and gave them Assembly tickets. The new entrants included two former BJP MPs and a district president. The other two were Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddique and former minister Nawab Maliks daughter Sana Malik. Former BJP MP from Sangli, Sanjaykaka Patil and partys Sangli district president Nishikant Bhosale Patil joined the NCP in the presence of NCP national president Ajit Pawar and state president Sunil Tatkare in Mumbai. As soon as they joined the party, NCP announced their candidature. Nishikant Patil will contest against NCP (SP)s heavyweight Jayant Patil from Islampur and Sanjaykaka Patil will contest from Tasgaon assembly constituency, where he will be up against late R.R. Patils 25-year-old son Rohit Patil. The NCP also gave tickets to former BJP MP Pratap Patil-Chikhalikar who lost the 2024 election from the Nanded Lok Sabha seat. Now he will contest the Assembly election from the Loha seat as NCP candidate. Zeeshan Siddiqui, son of former state minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, also joined the NCP. He will be the NCP candidate from Vandre East against Uddhav Thackerays relative Varun Sardesai. Zeshan had won the seat in 2019 as the Congress candidate. However, the Congress recently expelled him for the alleged anti-party activities. After joining the NCP, Zeeshan Siddiqui said, This is an emotional day for me and my family. NCP has expressed trust in me and I thank them for it. I will always be with the one who supported me in these difficult times. Sana Malik, the daughter of former minister Nawab Malik, will contest from her fathers constituency Anushaktinagar. This decision was also taken under the BJPs pressure. The saffron party had strongly objected to Nawab Maliks candidature as he is facing a case related to his alleged links with the Dawood Ibrahim gang. Malik is expected to contest the Assembly election as an independent from the Muslim-dominated Mankhurd-Shivajinagar seat, where he will challenge Samajwadi Partys state chief Abu Azmi. Former BJP minister Rajkumar Badole joined the Ajit Pawar-led party earlier this week and is contesting the Assembly election as the NCP candidate from the Arjuni-Morgaon seat. On Thursday, a crucial meeting was held in Delhi between Union home minister Amit Shah and leaders of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance to discuss the strategy for the Assembly elections. Speaking about the meeting with Shah, Ajit Pawar said, Our discussion is still. We are moving in a phased manner. Till we say something dont get to the conclusion that someone has been given a ticket and another one is ignored. Yesterday our whole day was spent in Delhi for the discussion. Out of 288 seats, only 11 seats are remaining for us to decide. We are trying to take the best decision for the alliance. The Assembly elections in Maharashtra will be held on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23.

Mild tremors felt in Maharashtra's Nanded; no injuries, damage to property reported

NANDED: Tremors of 1.5 and 0.7 magnitude were felt in Maharashtra's Nanded district on Friday, though there was no report of injuries to anyone or damage to property, an official said. The tremors were experienced at 2:43pm and 3:13pm in Ambulga (Bu) in the district's Mukhed taluka, he added. The epicentre was 12 kilometres away from Mukhed town in the south-east direction. There is no report of anyone getting hurt or property being damaged, the official said.

PM Modi may address 12 public rallies in Maharashtra ahead of polls

Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address 11 to 12 public meetings in Maharashtra ahead of the next month's assembly elections, BJP's state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said here on Friday. Elections to the 288-member state assembly will be held on November 20 and the counting of votes will take place three days later. Addressing a press conference in the Bharatiya Janata Party's media office here, where former MLA Raju Todsam (from Arni in Yavatmal) and few other local leaders joined the party, Bawankule said, PM Modi ji's public meetings are proposed to be held at 11 to 12 places across Maharashtra, including Gondia, Akola, Nanded, Dhule, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. He added that in the next few days, more people are expected to join the Mahayuti alliance. The ruling Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-helmed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). While it is trying to continue at the helm, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) grouping of Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) is making all out effort to snatch power from it.

Maharashtra polls: Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan, two former BJP MPs on Ajit-led NCP's second list

MUMBAI: The Ajit Pawar-led NCP on Friday released its second list, comprising seven candidates, including MLA Zeeshan Siddique and two former BJP MPs, for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Zeeshan Siddique, whose father and NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead earlier this month, will contest from Bandra East, which he had won in 2019 on a Congress ticket. He also joined the NCP. The legislator on Thursday criticised the decision of the Shiv Sena (UBT), a partner of Congress in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), to field Varun Sardesai in his constituency for the November 20 polls, saying staying together was never in their nature. Zeeshan had been suspended from Congress for cross-voting in the recent legislative council elections. His father and Congress veteran Baba Siddique had crossed over to the NCP, a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti coalition, earlier this year. Former BJP MP Pratap Chikhalikar, who lost the Lok Sabha polls from Nanded, has been nominated from Loha. BJP ex-MP Sanjay Kaka Patil, who unsuccessfully contested from Sangli in the general elections, has been given an NCP ticket. He also joined the party on Friday. Sanjay Kaka Patil will face off with NCP (SP) candidate Rohit Patil, son of late NCP leader R R Patil, in Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal constituency in Sangli district. Nishikant Patil will take on NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil in Islampur, while Sana Malik, daughter of former minister Nawab Malik, has been nominated from Anushakti Nagar in Mumbai. NCP has given the ticket to Sunil Tingre from Wadgaon Sheri in Pune. It has picked Dnyaneshwar Katke from Shrirur. Until recently, Katke was the Pune district chief of the Uddhav Thackeray-led NCP (SP). Earlier, NCP had released its first list featuring 38 candidates. NCP, BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are the constituents of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23.

All in the family: Parties give chance to kin of leaders in Maharashtra polls

Mumbai: While political parties often accuse rivals of dynastic politics, during elections, they do not shy away from fielding relatives of their established leaders - as the lists of candidates for the next month's Maharashtra assembly polls show. Most of the prominent political parties in the state have so far declared at least the first list of their candidates for the November 20 elections to 288 assembly seats. From the ruling side, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party have declared the first list of candidates, while from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has come out with the first list so far. Their lists show that a significant number of contenders are closely related to the current ministers, legislators or MPs, including their sons or daughters, wives and brothers or sisters. Sreejaya Chavan, the daughter of former chief minister and Congress turncoat Ashok Chavan who joined the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, is among the kin of a political heavyweight picked by the saffron party for the November 20 contest. She will contest from the family's traditional constituency of Bhokar in Nanded district. Vinod Shelar, the brother of Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, has been fielded by the party from the Malad West constituency, while Ashish himself has been re-nominated from the Bandra West seat in Mumbai. The BJP has replaced its sitting MLA Babanrao Pachpute from the Shrigonda assembly constituency (in Ahilyanagar district) with his wife, Pratibha Pachpute, due to his health issues. The saffron party has dropped the name of Ganpat Gaikwad, its MLA from Kalyan East constituency in Thane district, and instead nominated his wife, Sulabha, to contest from the same constituency. Gaikwad is currently in jail for opening fire on a Shiv Sena worker inside a police station a few months ago. Former Union minister and Lok Sabha member Narayan Rane's son, Nitesh, currently represents the Kankavli assembly segment. His elder brother, Nilesh, a former Lok Sabha member, has now joined the ruling Shiv Sena and is set to contest from the Kudal constituency, which falls under the family's home district of Sindhudurg. In Chinchwad constituency in Pune district, the BJP replaced sitting MLA Ashwini Jagtap, the wife of late party leader Laxman Jagtap, but gave ticket to his brother Shankar Jagtap. This is his first election. Shinde-led Sena has nominated Kiran Samant, the brother of state minister Uday Samant, from the Rajapur seat in Ratnagiri district. The family members of Shiv Sena leaders Sandipan Bhumare and Ravindra Waikar, who became members of the Lok Sabha after this year's general elections, have also been given a chance by the party from the respective constituencies that the two former MLAs represented. While Bhumare's son Vilas will contest from the Paithan in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Waikar's wife Manisha will test electoral waters from the Jogeshwari East assembly seat. The ruling NCP already nominated Pankaj Bhujbal as the party MLC earlier this month. He is the son of senior party leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who is contesting from the Yeola assembly segment in Nashik district. But since Bhujbal's nephew Sameer is keen on contesting the election, he will fight as an independent candidate against Sena's incumbent MLA Suhas Kande from Nandgaon constituency in Nashik. Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) has renominated sitting MLA Aaditya Thackeray from the Worli seat in Mumbai, while his cousin Varun Sardesai will contest his maiden election from Bandra East. The Sena (UBT) also decided to given ticket to sitting MLA Sunil Raut, brother of the party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut from Vikroli seat in Mumbai. Although the NCP (SP) has not announced its list of candidates so far, Rohit Patil, son of former home minister late R R Patil, filed his nomination as an NCP (SP) candidate from Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal constituency in Sangli district on Thursday. According to party insiders, Rohit Pawar, the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar and sitting MLA from Karjat Jamkhed assembly seat in Ahilyanagar, is most likely to be renominated from the constituency. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who never contested election, has fielded his son Amit from Mahim assembly seat in Mumbai. It will be his maiden election. When asked about parties fielding relatives, political observer Abhay Deshpande said, The established leaders want to retain their control over their constituency, and as a part of that, they develop their network and connections with the voters. In order to continue the hold, their traditional constituency becomes safer for that particular family and hence handed over to a son or daughter as political inheritance. But in some cases, a party chooses someone from the family of an established leader due to reasons like the death of the leader. For instance, Shiv Sena has fielded Suhas Babar from the Khanapur seat (in Sangli) because his MLA father Anil Babar passed away a few months back. One factor is seeking political gains from the sympathy that voters will have for the family. At the same time, it is also considered as token of gratitude from the political party to a particular family that has served it for a long time, he said.

Maha: 3.8 magnitude earthquake hits Nanded; no casulties reported

An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.8 struck Maharashtras Nanded on Tuesday morning, October 22 as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The tremor occurred at 6:52 am, with its epicentre located at 19.38 degrees North latitude and 77.46 degrees East longitude, at a depth of 5 km. The NCS shared the details 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 .

Meet woman, former engineer who cracked CAT with 99% marks, later cleared UPSC with AIR 15, she is now...

Today, IAS Neha Bhosle serves as SDO, Assistant Collector and Project Officer, ITDP, Kinwat, Nanded, Maharashtra.

Wayanad, Nanded bypolls and 48 Assembly byelections: Full list and schedule

Lok Sabha bypolls are taking place in Kerala for Wayanad and in Maharashtra for Nanded.

Congress fields Ravindra Chavan for Nanded; accuses Mahayuti of disrespecting Shivaji Maharajs legacy

Bypolls for the Nanded Lok Sabha seat and the Kedarnath Assembly constituency are scheduled for November 20, alongside the Maharashtra Assembly elections and the second phase of the Jharkhand polls

Maharashtra: Imtiaz Jaleel may lock horns with Congress in Nanded bypolls

Mumbai: The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is likely to contest the ensuing November 20 bypolls to the prestigious Nanded Lok Sabha constituency opposite the Congress, a top leader indicated here on Thursday. Maharashtra unit AIMIM President Imtiaz Jaleel told media persons that he was not averse to contesting from the erstwhile Congress bastion of 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 .

SGPC rejects high priest Singhs resignation, SAD apologies as it goes on back foot

CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is on the back foot after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today turned down the resignation of Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar (High Priest) Giani Harpreet Singh, describing it as a 'community crisis'. Former Akali Dal MLA Virsa Singh Valhota, a close confident of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, had alleged that the central government, BJP, RSS and Sikhs living abroad were pressuring jathedars (Sikh high priests) to render Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaderless while pronouncing religious punishment for party chief Badal. A delegation led by the working president of the party, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, today met Akal Takht (Highest temporal body of Sikhs) Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to apologise for controversial remarks made by former leader Valtoha. The delegation comprised senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema, who said they had apologised for Valtohas remarks against Harpreet Singh even though he is not part of the party now. But he remained quiet on the resignation of Singh. Giani Harpreet Singh was part of five Sikh High priests who had directed the SAD acting president Bhundar to expel Valtoha from the party for ten years, citing 'character assassination of the Sikh clergy' as the reason. Harpreet Singh on Wednesday tendered his resignation. Akal Takht Jathedar, Raghbir Singh, came out in support of Harpreet Singh and threatened to quit if his resignation is accepted by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has rejected the resignation of Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Giani Harpreet Singh. He said that the SGPC has always respected the Jathedars of the Takhts and will always continue to do so. He said that the services rendered by Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib have been commendable and the community needs his services in future also. Dhami appealed to Harpreet Singh to continue his services. I decline his resignation. I have conveyed this to him over phone, he said. He also appealed to Valtoha not to utter anything against the high priests. He said that the community is currently going through a critical period, as anti-Panth forces are constantly targeting Sikh institutions. In such a time, it is the common responsibility of all to avoid any dispute and work for the greater interests of the community. He said that already RSS, BJP and anti-Panth forces are moving forward intending to break Sikh institutions. He pointed out recent instances such as the formation of a separate Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee after breaking SGPC and direct interference of the government in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee besides the interference in the management of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded and Takht Sri Harmandar Patna Sahib, as examples of this phenomenon. He also said their hands are now moving towards Punjab as well, about which the community needs to think. He said that it is not right to get into any controversy for the strength of the communitys institutions. He added that the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib has already ordered that no statement should be made by any party against each other with regards to the ongoing matter of SAD. He appealed on behalf of the SGPC that no leader should make such statement which hurts the honour of Sikh institutions and the community.

Congress fields Vasantrao Chavan's son for Nanded parliamentary seat bypoll

The Congress named Ravindra Chavan as the candidate for the Nanded parliamentary seat bypoll, following the death of MP Vasant Chavan. Jingjang M Marak was announced as the candidate for the Gambegre assembly seat bypoll in Meghalaya. Bypolls are scheduled for November 20, with results on November 23.

Maharashtra polls: Cong's screening committee clears names on 62 seats, CEC to take place on Oct 20

Congress' screening panel has cleared 62 candidates for Maharashtra Assembly elections and one candidate for Nanded by-election. Party's central election committee will meet on October 20. Maharashtra will vote on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23. Maharashtra Congress leaders are confident about forming the government, overcoming the BJP's tactics.

Bypolls In 2 Lok Sabha Seats, 48 Assembly Constituencies To Be Held In Two Phases | Check Details

The Election Commission on Tuesday announced bypolls to the Wayanad and Nanded Lok Sabha seats as well as 48 assembly constituencies

Priyanka Gandhi to make electoral debut from Wayanad as EC announces bypoll

NEW DELHI: With the Election Commission (EC) announcing the bypoll to the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, the stage is set for Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's electoral debut from the Kerala constituency that could see her enter Parliament five years after joining active politics. Days after the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress announced in June that Rahul Gandhi will retain the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh and vacate the Wayanad seat in Kerala, from where his sister Priyanka Gandhi will make her electoral debut. If elected, this will be the first time that Priyanka Gandhi will enter Parliament as an MP. This will also be the first time that the three Gandhi family members -- Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka -- will be in Parliament together. The EC on Tuesday announced bypolls to the Wayanad and Nanded Lok Sabha seats as well as in 48 Assembly constituencies. The bypoll to the Wayanad parliamentary seat and 47 Assembly seats will be held on November 13, along with the first phase of polling for the Jharkhand Assembly. Since her entry into active politics in 2019, Priyanka Gandhi has been in the past projected as a possible challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi and also, as a successor to Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi in the family pocket borough of Rae Bareli. However, the Congress has decided to field her from Wayanad, the parliamentary seat that her elder brother Rahul won for two consecutive elections. Priyanka Gandhi was earlier the Congress in-charge of Uttar Pradesh. She emerged as the party's strategist and star campaigner, helping the Congress make impressive gains in some states as well as in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier in the year. After her name was announced for the Wayanad bypoll, Priyanka Gandhi had said, I am not nervous at all... I am very happy to be able to represent Wayanad. All I will say is that I will not let them feel his (Rahul Gandhi's) absence. I will work hard and try my best to make everybody happy and be a good representative. I have a good relationship with Rae Bareli as I worked there for 20 years and that relationship will never break, she had said, adding that both she and her brother will work together in both the constituencies. After joining active politics, Priyanka Gandhi was made the Congress general secretary in-charge of the crucial eastern Uttar Pradesh in January 2019 and then as the general secretary in-charge of the entire state. Though the performance of her party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls was not very good, she continued with her efforts to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level. In December 2023, Priyanka Gandhi was made a Congress general secretary without a portfolio. She emerged as the party's key strategist and later, its star campaigner for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. She also helped strengthen the organisation and led the party's campaign in Himachal Pradesh, where the grand old party wrested power from the BJP. Her campaign helped the Congress in the general election, in which the party got 99 seats, up from 52 in 2019. Priyanka Gandhi is married to businessman Robert Vadra. With the Congress putting up a surprisingly good show in the Lok Sabha polls, Priyanka Gandhi cemented her position as the party's talisman. Countering Modi over his gold and mangalsutra remarks during the Lok Sabha poll campaign, an emotionally-charged Priyanka Gandhi had reminded the voters that her mother, Sonia Gandhi, had sacrificed her mangalsutra for the country. The Congress general secretary did not take the electoral plunge at that time but opted to contest the Wayanad bypoll after guiding her party to a stronger position in Parliament, compared to its tally of seats in 2014 and 2019. Discussing her childhood, the pain of her father Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and her mother's grief, she had steered the Congress's campaign during the general election, adroitly walking the tightrope between striking a familial chord and discussing national-level issues, and proved to be a strategist, orator and mass mobiliser -- all rolled into one. As the curtains came down on the 2024 general election, analysts totted up the numbers. Priyanka Gandhi took part in 108 public meetings and roadshows. She campaigned in 16 states and a Union territory, and also addressed two party workers' conferences in Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. Most of her speeches were akin to a conversation with the crowd, establishing a connect and giving people the impression that here was a person who was known to them, someone sharing her feelings and thoughts with them. She had also accompanied Rahul Gandhi to Wayanad following devastating landslides in the region and has been involved in the relief-and-rescue work launched by the party. Priyanka Gandhi's poll debut comes at a time when the Congress has been jolted by an electoral defeat in Haryana and it would be interesting to see if she would be able to steer the Wayanad campaign, along with the canvassing for the Jharkhand and Maharashtra polls, to put the grand old party back on track.

EC Announces Bypolls to Wayanad, Nanded LS Seats; 48 Assembly Constituencies

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Tuesday announced bypolls to the Wayanad and Nanded Lok Sabha seats as well as 48 assembly constituencies.Bypoll to the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal and the Milkipur assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh were not announced as election petitions are pending in the respective high courts against the candidates who had won the seats earlier. Bypoll to the Wayanad parliamentary seat and 47 assembly seats will be held on November 13 along with phase one elections for the Jharkhand Assembly. Bypoll to the Nanded Lok Sabha seat and the Kedarnath assembly constituency will be held on November 20 along with Maharashtra assembly polls and phase two of Jharkhand elections. The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat was vacated by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he opted to keep the Rae Bareli seat. The Nanded Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after MP Vasant Chavan died recently. Similarly, TMC MP from the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat Haji Sheikh Nurul Islam passed away a few days ago. Rahul's sibling Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest from Wayanad. The 48 assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha seats where bypolls are being held are spread across 15 states - Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Sikkim.

Maharashtra to vote in single phase on November 20, Jharkhand in two phases; results on 23rd

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that the Maharashtra assembly elections will take place on November 20. Voters in Jharkhand will head to the polls in two phases, with elections set for November 13 and November 20. Counting for both assembly elections is scheduled for November 23. The term of the 288-seats Maharashtra assembly ends on November 26. Whereas, term of the Jharkhand assembly which has 81 members, ends on January 5, 2025. Maharashtra poll schedule Jharkhand poll schedule The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections are poised to feature a significant two-way contest. The opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi, includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP-SP led by Sharad Pawar, and the Congress party. On the other side, the ruling Mahayuti Alliance comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, and the NCP faction headed by Ajit Pawar. The Election Commission also announced that bypolls to 47 assembly seats and Wayanad Lok Sabha seat will be held on November 13. Similarly, bypolls to Kedarnath assembly seat in Uttarakhand, Nanded Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra will be held on November 20.

Third Eye: Joining Yatra bandwagon, all set for prestige battles and no scope for quick relief

BJP Union minister Giriraj Singh will start the 'Hindu Swabhiman Yatra' on October 18 in Bihar to promote Hindu unity, beginning in Bhagalpur and ending in Kishanganj. Meanwhile, key parliamentary bypolls in Wayanad, Nanded, and Basirhat await, and the Calcutta High Court has declined a fast-track hearing for Sandip Ghosh.

Special trains to be run between Panvel and Nanded on Diwali, Chhath Puja

As per the release, The details are as under: Train 07626 Bi-weekly Festival special will leave from Panvel at 2.30 pm every Tuesday and Thursday from October 22 to November 28

Meet IIT-JEE topper with 350 marks in JEE Mains, went to IIT Bombay with AIR 3, he went on to pursue...

Parth Laturia completed his Class 10th studies in 2016 at Gyan Mata Vidya Vihar in Nanded, achieving a perfect grade of 10.0 out of 10.0.

64 killed in Marathwada in rain-related incidents in this year's monsoon; 38 by lightning strikes

The Northeast Monsoon rains have ceased over Rayalaseema and the adjoining areas of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala's Mahe, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-Karaikal and Yanam since Sunday. (Representation image: DC) The Northeast Monsoon rains have ceased over Rayalaseema and the adjoining areas of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala's Mahe, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-Karaikal and Yanam since Sunday. (Representation image: DC) Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: As many as 64 people were killed in rain-related incidents in this year's monsoon in Maharashtra's Marathwada region, of which 38 were due to lightning strikes, officials said on Thursday. Marathwada comprises the districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad and Hingoli. Of these deaths between June 1 and October 4, Latur reported the most at 12, according to the report from the revenue department. Besides the 64 deaths, including 38 due to lightning strikes, 16 people were also injured in rain-related incidents in Marathwada. Of those people who lost their lives, 24 drowned during floods, said the report. The region also recorded the deaths of 1,595 animals belonging to farmers. Of the eight districts, Parbhani reported the most such deaths at 407. Currently, 407 lightning arresters have been installed in the region. Of them, 308 are in Beed and 79 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the report said. Parbhani, where the highest (8) deaths due to lightning strikes were recorded this year, had four lightning arresters till May 2024, said another report.

SCR Runs 26 Special Trains Between Kazipet-Dadar

Nizamabad : In order to accommodate increased passenger demand during the festival season, the South Central Railway will run 26 weekly summer special trains between Kazipet and Dadar. Train No. 07195 Kazipet-Dadar departs at 15.00 on Wednesday and arrives at 13. 25 on Thursday. This weekly special will operate on 10 services on October 16 and 23, as well as November 13, 20, and 27. Train No. 07196 Dadar-Kazipet will depart at 15.25 on Thursday and arrive at 16.00 on Friday, operating on October 17 and 24 , as well as November 14, 21, and 28. Train No. 07197 Kazipet-Dadar will depart at 11. 30 on Saturday and arrive at 13.25 on Sunday, running on October 12, 19, and 26, and November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Train No. 07198 Dadar-Kazipet will depart at 15.25 on Sunday and arrive at 21.30 on Monday. This service will run on 13th, 20th, and 27th October 13, 20 and 27, as well as December 1, 3, 10, 24, 27. These trains will consist of AC II, III tier, sleeper, and general second-class coaches. The special trains (07195, 07196) will stop at Jammikunta, Peddapalli, Karimnagar, Lingampet Jagtial, Metpally, Armoor, Nizamabad, Basar, Dharmabad, Umri, Mudkhed, Nanded, Purna, Parbhani, Selu, Parthur, Jalna, Aurangabad, Lasur, Rotegaon, Nagarsol, Manmad, Nasik, Igatpuri, and Kalyan stations in both directions. The special trains (07197, 07198) will operate 16 services and will stop at Jammikunta, Peddapalli, Mancherial, Bellampally, Sirpur, Kagaznagar, Ballarshah, Chandrapur, Bhandak, Wani, Kayer, Lingti, Pimpalkhuti, Adilabad, Kinwat, Sahasrakund, Himayatnagar, Bhokar, Mudkhed, Nanded, Purna, Parbhani, Selu, Parthur, Jalna, Aurangabad, Lasur, Rotegaon, Nagarsol, Manmad, Nasik, Igatpuri, and Kalyan stations in both directions.

Idols Made of Wood Are a Big Draw in Bhainsa

Adilabad: Devotees thronged to Sirpelli (H) village to view the wooden idol of Goddess Durga installed as part of the Durga Navaratri celebrations in Kubheer mandal, Nirmal district. The Bhainsa area, bordering Maharashtra, has a tradition of installing wooden idols, whether of Ganesh or Durga. At the end of the festival, the idols are not immersed; instead, they are preserved in local temples and reused after purification. If necessary, painters give the idols a fresh coat of paint. Thulasiram of the Durga Youth Association, who installed a Durga idol in Sirpelli (H) village, stated that the tradition of using wooden idols is long-held in the area. He noted that a large number of devotees visited their village to see the Durga idol, which was crafted by artist Shyam from Kubheer. Shyam remarked that wooden Durga idols are now becoming increasingly popular among devotees, following the trend of wooden Ganesha idols. Ravinder, a devotee from Nirmal town, expressed that the wooden idol appears different and attractive. It is worth mentioning that residents of Palaj village in Bhokar taluk, Nanded district, Maharashtra, only 5 km from the Telangana border, installed a wooden Ganesha idol. Even devotees from Hyderabad visit Palaj to seek blessings from Ganesha. The tradition of wooden Ganesha idols from Palaj has spread to Palsi in Kubheer mandal, Bhosi village in Tanur mandal, and Abdullahpur in Lokeshwar mandal, all under the Mudhole Assembly constituency in Nirmal district.

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.

PM Launches Projects Of Rs 23,300 Cr Related To Agri, Animal Husbandry Sectors In Maharashtra

WASHIM, Oct 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched Rs 23,300 crore initiatives related to agriculture and animal husbandry sectors at Washim in Maharashtra. Modi, who is on a one-day visit to Maharashtra, arrived at the Nanded airport in the morning, from where he was flown to Washim in a helicopter. In Washim, he offered prayers at the Jagdamba Mata temple in Poharadevi. He later paid tributes to Sant Sevalal Maharaj and Sant Ramrao Maharaj at their samadhis (memorials) []

PM Modi launches projects related to agri, animal husbandry in Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched Rs 23,300 crore initiatives related to agriculture and animal husbandry sectors at Washim in Maharashtra. Modi, who is on a one-day visit to Maharashtra, arrived at the Nanded airport in the morning, from where he was flown to Washim in a helicopter. In Washim, he offered prayers at the Jagdamba Mata temple in Poharadevi. He later paid tributes to Sant Sevalal Maharaj and Sant Ramrao Maharaj at their 'samadhis' (memorials) in Poharadevi. The PM then inaugurated Banjara Virasat Museum, celebrating the rich heritage of Banjara community. During an event held later, Modi disbursed PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi's 18th instalment of Rs 20,000 crore to around 9.4 crore farmers. With the release of this instalment, around Rs 3.45 lakh crore have been released to farmers under this scheme, officials said. The PM also launched the 5th instalment of NaMo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana disbursing about Rs 2,000 crore. He inaugurated more than 7,5

AIMIM Proposes to Join MVA, Seeks 28 Assembly Seats

Mumbai: Hyderabad-based-All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has shown a willingness to join the oppositions alliance for the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha polls in Maharashtra. The decision has been made after consultation of state leaders with AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi. Former MP and party leader Imtiaz Jaleel said the AIMIM has sent a proposal to the presidents of the Congress and NCP (SP) seeking 28 Assembly seats to contest. We (the opposition parties) should come together to ensure BJPs defeat. We do not want the Mahayuti government in the state, he said. Jaleel made it clear that the seats they have proposed to contest are all Muslim-dominated. They (the MVA) will field their candidates in Muslim-dominated constituencies, which will lead to division of votes between them and the AIMIM and it will ultimately help the BJP, he added. The list of constituencies from which the AIMIM is seeking to contest the assembly polls in Maharashtra includes Dharavi, Byculla, Mumba Devi, Versova, Andheri West, Chandivali, Mankhurd, Anushakti Nagar, Kurla, Kalina, Bandra East, Bandra West, Bhiwandi West, Bhiwandi East, Mumbra-Kalwa, Dhule, Malegaon Central, Pune Cantonment, Solapur Central, Akola, Balapur, Akola West, Washim, Amravati, Nanded North, Nanded Central, Aurangabad Central, and Aurangabad East. The AIMIM leader said that the letter seeking alliance with the Congress and NCP (SP) has been drafted. We drafted a letter after consulting AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and it has been sent to the Congress and NCP (SP). The AIMIM leader also said the proposal has been sent only to the Congress and NCP (SP), as they still do not agree with (the policies of) the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena (UBT) have recently become secular, but we do not agree with their stand on various issues. Hence, we have approached the Congress and the NCP (SP). If they could join hands with a party that has recently become secular, why cant the AIMIM enter into an alliance with the MVA? he said. We have given a proposal for 28 Muslim-dominated constituencies, and we can give a good fight on these seats, Jaleel said. However, he added that the AIMIM has only listed the constituencies and it can contest on fewer seats as well. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are likely to be held in November. In the current assembly, the BJP is the single largest party with 103 MLAs, followed by Shiv Sena 40, NCP 41, Congress 40, Shiv Sena (UBT) 15, NCP (SP) 13 and others 29. The AIMIM has two MLAs while some seats are vacant. It is unlikely that Shiv Sena (UBT) will agree with the inclusion of the AIMIM in the MVA. Though the Uddhav Thackeray-led party is part of the secular alliance, it continues to claim that it has not abandoned Hindutva as it does not want to lose its core voters. Besides, the MVA already includes several parties, such as Congress, NCP(SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, Communist Party, Shetkari Kamgar Paksha and the Republican Organization. The alliance is already struggling with accommodating each of the constituents. According to sources, AIMIMs proposal may not get any response from Congress and NCP(SP).

SCRs Nanded division almost electrified, says General Manager

Pressure mounts on Shinde government as Maratha quota activists health worsens

Mumbai : Maratha quota activist Manaj Jaranges health deteriorated on Monday, which was the seventh day of his ongoing indefinite hunger strike, due to weakness as he struggled to speak. Former Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Chhatrapati, who is trying to stitch an alliance with Jarange for the Assembly polls, said the government will be responsible if anything happens to the quota activist. Sambhaji Chhatrapati also criticised the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance of Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) for not taking a clear stand on the issue. Supporters of Mr. Jarange expressed concerns over his deteriorating health and urged the government to accept his demand for reservation under the OBC category at the earliest. Mr. Jarange has been on hunger strike at his village, Antarwali Sarati, in Jalna district. A large crowd thronged Antarwali Sarati out of concern for Mr. Jaranges health. After the activists refusal to seek medical attention, the state government is using back channels to convince the quota activist to call off the hunger strike. Meanwhile, Mr. Jaranges supporters called a bandh in several districts of Maharashtra including Jalana, Buldhana, Latur, Nanded etc. to increase the pressure on the government. On the other hand, OBC activists Mangesh Sabale and Laxman Hake are holding separate protests near Antarwali Sarati to oppose Mr. Jaranges demand. There have been instances of clashes between the Maratha and OBC community people at some places. Sambhaji Chhatrapati, who met Mr. Jarange said that the Maharashtra government should take a decision on the Maratha reservation demand. If anything goes wrong, the government will be responsible for it. The opposition and ruling parties should come together and spell out whether they can give reservation or not, he said. The descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj said that the opposition parties should also question the state government on how it will provide the reservation. Holding the opposition parties equally responsible for the prevailing situation, he said, The government is sitting in the air-conditioned office, the opposition is just a mute spectator and the people are suffering. Earlier, the Eknath Shinde-led government passed a law providing 10 per cent separate reservation to the Maratha community in government jobs and education. The act has has been challenged in the Bombay High Court. However, Mr. Jarange has insisted for the reservation under the OBC category by certifying Marathas as Kunbi, which is caste listed as the OBC. The activist has claimed that Marathas and Kunbis are the same. However, the existing OBC communities have opposed the inclusion of Marathas terming it as encroachment of their rights.

Revanth to Campaign for MVA in Maharashtra

Hyderabad : Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, along with ministers and leaders, is set to campaign in Maharashtra for the upcoming Assembly elections in support of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has started election preparatory meetings in Maharashtra and has requested Telangana leaders to join the campaign after Dasara in October. The MVA comprises Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena (UBT). As part of the campaign strategy, the AICC has launched training programmes for hundreds of Congress activists from Telangana who have have been assigned election duties in Assembly constituencies with a notable presence of Telangana-native voters. The undivided Adilabad and Nizamabad districts border Maharashtra, and many residents from these districts have deep social and family connections with regions like Nanded, Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, and Solapur. A significant number of people from Adilabad and Nizamabad have also settled in these parts of Maharashtra. Congress leaders anticipate the announcement of poll dates in October with the elections expected to take place in November 2024. Congress Lok Sabha member from Bhongir Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy attended an election preparatory meeting in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, on Monday. He told Deccan Chronicle, Nearly 6,000 activists participated in the meeting, with around 2,000 being Telangana natives, primarily from Adilabad and Nizamabad districts. They were trained on campaign strategies and assigned booth-level responsibilities to engage with voters and rally support for the MVA. Kiran Kumar Reddy added that the Congress high command had called on key Telangana leaders, including the CM and ministers, to actively participate in the Maharashtra election campaign post-Dasara featuring public meetings and roadshows.

Ambedkar Declares 11 Candidates for Assembly Polls

Mumbai: Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar on Saturday announced his party;s first list of candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The list includes 11 candidates, who will contest from the constituencies in Chhatrapati Shambhajinagar, Nagpur and Nanded cities. The other seats include Loha, Shevgaon, Raver, Sindhkhed, Khanapur, Dhamangaon Railway and Washim. The Election Commission of India is yet to announce Maharashtra assembly elections. However, they are expected to be held in November as the term of the current Assembly is scheduled to end on November 26. The main fight for the Assembly will be between Mahayuti alliance, which comprises of BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawars NCP, and Maha Vikas Aghadi of Congress, Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawars NCP (SP). Both alliances have still not finalise their seat sharing formula. However, Mr. Ambedkars announcement has confirmed that the election will not be a straight fight between the two main alliances. Announcing the first candidate list, Mr. Amedkar said, Staying true to our ideology, we have given representation to the deprived Bahujan groups with the aim of gaining true representation and political power, and breaking the hegemony of families of certain castes. Transgender rights activist Shamibha Patil has been named the candidate for the Raver seat, and Kisan Chavan, who belongs to the Pardhi community, has been named from Shevgaon. This is historic that a transgender has been given candidature, said Disha Pinki Sheikh, a transgender, who is a spokesperson of the party. Mr. Ambedkar also announced two candidates from VBA's alliance partners Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) and Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP). Anil Jadhav (BAP) will be the candidate from Chopda seat, which is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, and Harish Uike (GGP) will contest from the Ramtek seat. In the coming days, more names will be announced. We are in touch with some prominent political parties and soon more parties will join our alliance, Mr. Ambedkar said. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, the VBA had tried to join hands with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. However, after their talks failed, Mr. Ambedkar fielded candidates on several Lok Sabha seats, but could not win any.

South Central Railways announces 48 special trains ahead of Dussehra

Hyderabad: The South Central Railways (SCR) will run 48 special train services between October 11 and December 2 in view of the upcoming Dussehra, Deepawali and Chatt festivals. Train no 07625 Nanded-Panvel will run every Monday and Wednesday between October 21 and November 27. Also ReadTraffic woes persist in Hyderabad as Ganesh immersions continue Similarly, 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 .

Mumbai cop shoots wife dead in Nanded district, arrested

MUMBAI: A 50-year-old drunk policeman allegedly shot his wife dead using the service revolver in Maharashtra's Nanded district on Tuesday, police said. Prima facie, a domestic dispute was the trigger behind the incident which occurred in the Nanded rural area this evening. Assistant Police Sub Inspector (ASI) Afzal Pathan shot his wife in the back at their home, a police official said, adding that Pathan was posted at the Airport Police Station. One round was fired by Pathan, he said. Police personnel rushed to Pathan's house and shifted his wife to a hospital where she was declared dead on arrival, the official said. Pathan was taken to Nanded rural police station where he is being questioned, he said. A case of murder has been registered against Pathan and the investigation is underway, the official added.

Ambulance Carrying Boy Hits Divider, Child Dies

Nizamabad: A 5-year-old boy died on NH-161 at Narsingraopally in Nizamsagar mandal of Kamareddy district when an ambulance carrying the boy hit a road divider. Due to non-availability of a ventilator in the highway ambulance, the boy, already suffering from pneumonia, succumbed on the spot. Sathwik of Degam village in Nanded district of Maharashtra suffered from pneumonia for last few days. For better treatment, his parents shifted him to a corporate hospital in Hyderabad. After spending Rs 9 lakh, the boy did not recover. Unable to spend more, his parents were shifting the child in an ambulance to Nanded on Thursday. While reaching the Narsingraopally cross roads on Sangareddy-Nanded-Akola highway, the ambulance hit a road divider. His parents called for another ambulance from Deglur town in Maharashtra. Both the ambulances did not have ventilator facility and the boy succumbed. The parents of the boy alleged that lack of facilities in ambulances killed their son. Nizamsagar police rushed to the spot and shifted the body for post-mortem. They registered a case and are investigating.

Police Solve Missing Boy Case Within 48 Hours

Karimnagar: The Intejargunz police have successfully solved the case of a missing baby boy within 48 hours, apprehending the woman responsible for the abduction in Hanamkonda on Monday. Intejargunz sub-inspector B. Venkanna told the media that the suspect, identified as J. Sunitha alias Nirmala, a 40-year-old resident of Adilabad district and originally from Nanded district in Maharashtra, had been living alone after separating from her husband. Fearing a future of solitude, she devised a plan to abduct a baby. Sunitha made contact with Rajesh and Bhima Bai, who had recently delivered a premature baby boy at the Mancherial Government Hospital. She convinced them that she could provide better medical care for their child. She initially took them to MGM Hospital before transferring them to Chanda Kanthaiah Memorial (CKM) Hospital in Deshaipet, Warangal, where she abducted the baby and fled. Following a complaint from Rajesh, the police quickly launched an investigation and resolved the case within two days. Police commissioner Ambar Kishor Jha commended the officers for their swift resolution of the case.

Inter-State offender held for stealing brides gold ornaments in Nanded express

Hyderabad: The Secunderabad Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested an inter-State property offender for stealing gold ornaments of a bride in Nanded express at Secunderabad railway station. Gold ornaments worth Rs.21.60 lakh were seized from the possession of the arrested person identified as Sultan, 44, an agriculture labourer and native of Hansa Patti of Dhamatan Sahib Chowki, in Haryana. His associate Joginder, 35, a labourer and native of Dhamatan Sahib Chowki in Jind district, Haryana, is absconding. In his complaint, N.V Ravi Shankar, a private employee and resident of Sri Sainagar Colony in Nagole said that after his sons marriage at Visakhapatnam on February 28, he and his family members were returning to Secunderabad in Nanded express. After boarding the AC coach, they kept their luggage under their berths including his daughter-in-laws gold ornaments bag and slept in the night. The next morning, they woke up when the train was reaching Secunderabad Railway Station. Shankar noticed that his daughter-in-law's bag containing gold ornaments was found missing. Immediately, they searched for the bag in the entire coach but in vain. Based on a complaint, the police booked a case. Acting on a tip-off, the police nabbed Sultan and seized 30 tulas gold ornaments worth Rs.21.60 lakh.

Hyderabad Police Arrest Gang Involved in Rs.43.8 Lakh Cash Bag Theft

Hyderabad : The south zone task force and Gudimalkapur police arrested five persons who snatched a cash bag from a jewellery shop manager last month. Police recovered Rs.43.8 lakh from the accused as well as mobile phones that they had purchased with the rest of the cash and the air pistol with which the gang threatened the victim. The theft had occurred on the night of August 30, when the gang led by Harpreet Singh Rishi of Kishanbagh, threatened the victim at PVNR Expressway Pillar No. 28, Mehdipatnam, and snatched the bag. He was aided by Manpreet Singh of Maharashtra, Gurjeet Singh of Sikh Chawni, Mohammed Ghufraan Ilahi of RTC crossroads and Shravan Deshetty, a private company employee from Karwan, according to task force DCP Y.V.S. Sudheendra. Harpreet Singh and Gurjeet Singh were cousin brothers and Manpreet Singh was their friend. Ilahi and Deshetty were Gurjeet Singhs classmates. They collected information about the transport of cash from the jewellery store from Shravan, their friend and former employee of a jewellery store. The store manager would keep the cash at his home overnight and deposit it in the bank the next day. Police said Harpreet Singh stole the air pistol from his cousins residence in Nanded and along with the other gang members lay in wait for the manager. Ilahi was to track the victim. On August 30 night, the manager along with a colleague reached Pillar 28 of the expressway and stopped at a paan kiosk. Harpreet and Manpreet approached the manager who was standing with the cash bag, threatened him with the air pistol and made off with the cash, police said. Upon their arrest, the gang was handed over to the Gudimalkapur police for further investigation and later produced before a court for judicial remand.

Congress MP urges Maharashtra govt to provide succour to rain-hit farmers

Latur: Congress MP Shivaji Kalge has urged the Maharashtra government to provide immediate succour to farmers in Latur and Nanded districts of Maharashtra as recent heavy rains and subsequent flooding have caused large-scale damage to their crops. He also demanded a waiver of farm loans for the affected farmers. Also ReadTelangana HC seeks reply on 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 .

President Murmu inaugurates Vishwashanti Buddha Vihar in Maharashtra's Latur

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihar at Udgir in Maharashtra's Latur district on Wednesday. The president, who has been on a visit to Maharashtra since Monday, arrived in Nanded this morning, from where she was flown to Udgir in a helicopter for the event. After the inauguration of the Buddha Vihara, a prayer was conducted there. The statue of Lord Buddha installed at the Buddha Vihar weighs 520 kilograms and is 10.5 feet tall, officials said. Governor C P Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Ramdas Athawale, state ministers Sanjay Bansode and Aditi Tatkare and members of All India Bhikkhu Sangha were present for the inaugural event. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar could not attend the event as he was unwell and is taking rest at his residence in Mumbai, sources from his party said. This Buddha Vihar is a replica of a similar establishment in Kalaburagi in neighbouring Karnataka, the officials said. This Buddha Vihar has been built on 1.15 hectares of land and can accommodate 1,200 people. Its entry gate is based on the design of the entry gate of Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh, they said.

MSRTC Employees' Strike Hits 2nd Day, 63 Bus Depots Shut Ahead of Ganesh Festival

The strike by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees has entered its second day, causing major disruptions in public transport services and affecting thousands of passengers, particularly as the Ganesh festival approaches. Employees are demanding a salary increase and parity with state government employees. They are also calling for a pay scale adjustment to match their counterparts in the state sector. As a result of the strike, 63 out of 251 MSRTC bus depots have been completely shut, 73 are partially closed, and 115 remain operational. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is scheduled to meet with trade union leaders at the Sahyadri Guest House to discuss potential solutions. The strike has not only disrupted regular services but has also affected the special buses scheduled for the Ganesh festival, which starts on September 7. MSRTC had planned 5,000 extra festival buses, including 4,300 group bookings, to operate from September 3 to 7 from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar. Over 1,000 buses were set to depart for Konkan on Wednesday alone. An industrial court has declared the strike illegal and has ordered employees to return to work. MSRTC has directed local authorities to file FIRs against those blocking employees who wish to work and to video record such incidents. In response to the ongoing disruption, MSRTC is considering long-term staff appointments to maintain service continuity. Torrential Rains Displace Over 200 in Hingoli, Damage Crops on 2 Lakh Hectares in Nanded Elderly Man Attacked on Train Over Beef Suspicion, Video Sparks Outrage Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse Sparks Protests and Clashes in Maharashtra

India achieves highest ever medal haul in Paralympics

Paris: India achieved its best ever medal haul in the Paralympics as it went past last edition's number of podium finishes on the back of a superlative performance by the country's track and field athletes here on Tuesday.A late evening rush of medals swelled India's tally to 20 (3 gold, 7 silver, 10 bronze) to surpass its earlier best haul of 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympic Games three years ago. On a red-letter day for Indian para sports, the track and field athletes showcased their might for the second consecutive day at the iconic Stade de France, bagging five medals -- two silver and three bronze -- as the country ended day six of the quadrennial showpiece at 17th place. India had won five gold, eight silver and six bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics. India's javelin throwers continued to set the bar high with Ajeet Singh and world record holder Sundar Singh Gurjar clinching the silver and bronze with throws of 65.62m and 64.96m respectively in the F46 category. F46 category is for field athletes with moderately affected movement in one or both arms or the absence of limbs. High jumpers Sharad Kumar and Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu gave it their all before settling for silver and bronze in the T63 finals, with jumps of 1.88m and 1.85m respectively. T63 is for high jumpers with available movement moderately affected in one leg or the absence of limbs above the knee. Earlier, world champion sprinter Deepthi Jeevanji ensured another bronze for India in the women's 400m (T20) event with the 20-year-old clocking 55.82sec to secure a podium finish in her debut Games appearance. She finished behind Yuliia Shuliar (55.16sec) of Ukraine and world record holder Aysel Onder (55.23sec) of Turkey. Daughter of farm labourers from Kalleda Village in Telangana's Warangal district, Jeevanji was diagnosed with intellectual impairment after being spotted at a school level athletics meet by one of her teachers. Growing up, she and her parents were subjected to taunts by natives of her village due to her disability. However, the same village has been celebrating her ever since she won a gold at last year's Asian Para Games before breaking the world record at the Para World Championships in May this year to fetch another gold. The youngster was also assisted by national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand after she began training with her formative coach Nagpuri Ramesh. The T20 category is meant for athletes who have intellectual impairment. Lekhara's campaign ends However, ace Indian shooter Avani Lekhara missed out on a second medal at the Games as she finished fifth in the final of the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 competition in Chateauroux. The 22-year-old, paralysed waist-down at 11 years of age owing to a car accident, shot a total of 420.6 across the three stages of kneeling, prone and standing in a world-class eight-woman field. However, she has lots to celebrate after becoming first Indian woman to win consecutive gold medals at Paralympics following a top finish in the 10m air rifle competition last week. Germany's Natascha Hiltrop won the gold with a total of 456.5, Slovakian Veronika Vadovicova claimed silver with 456.1, and China's Zhang shot 446.0 to bag the bronze. The SH1 class is designated for athletes with lower-limb impairment for competition in rifle shooting events. Here shooters are able hold their gun without difficulty and shoot from a standing or sitting position (in a wheelchair or chair). Jadhav ends 5th in shot put Bhagyashri Jadhav finished fifth in the women's shot put (F34). Jadhav, making her second appearance at the Paralympics, produced a throw of 7.28m but it was not enough for a podium finish. China's Lijuan Zou won the gold with a season's best of 9.14m while Poland's Lucyna Kornobys secured the silver with an effort of 8.33m. The 39-year-old Indian, who hails from Nanded district in Maharashtra, is an inspiring story of resilience. She slipped into depression after losing the use of her legs due to an accident in 2006. But she fought back to reclaim her life as a para-athlete with help from friends and family. Archer Pooja's campaign ends in quarters World Para Championship silver medallist Pooja Jatyan beat Yagmur Sengul of Turkey in straight sets to storm into the quarterfinals of recurve women's open archery competition. However, the 27-year-old could not sustain the momentum and lost to Tokyo Paralympics bronze-medallist Wu Chunyan of China in the last-eight stage. It was a particularly painful loss to Chunyan given that Pooja led 4-0 at one stage. A winner of four Paralympics medals, including a team gold in 2016 Rio Games, the 34-year-old Chinese archer was nowhere in the picture after a disastrous opening set in which she shot twice in the 7-point red ring to aggregate 23 points. But perhaps pressure got the better of Pooja, who fumbled her chance by allowing Chunyan to make a comeback in the third set, following which the match turned on its head.

Drought-prone Marathwada Witnesses Torrential Rains, At Least 10 Dead

Mumbai : At least 10 people have died in Maharashtras drought-prone Marathwada region due to floods. Kharif crops including cotton, soybean, maize and tur (pigeon pea) have been damaged on 11 lakh hectares. According to officials, 523 cattle have been killed and 3,487 villages have been affected due the heavy rains. A senior official said that Marathwada witnessed incessant rains from September 1. It has affected 11,67,270.12 hectares of agricultural land including non-irrigated 11,31,321 hectares and 16,225 hectares of irrigated lands. Around 3,500 villages and 14,62,870 farmers have been badly affected by the flood like situation in Marathwada region, he said. The official further informed that Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly known as Aurangabad) district witnessed the highest number of the casualties, followed by Hingoli district. Of the total casualties, five have been reported in Aurangabad, two in Hingoli and one each in Latur, Beed and Jalna districts, he said. According to the Disaster Management Unit (DMU), Marathwada, which has eight districts and 483 revenue circles, received more than 100 mm rainfall in the last 48 hours, causing sudden increase in water level in major rivers and rivulets including Godavari, Purna, Dudhana and Shivana. This has affected the lives of the people in several districts as villages were cut off from main roads and district headquarters. Flood waters deluged residential areas in the districts. In the worst affected Hingoli district, the Army has been called to rescue stranded people. Residential areas and farmlands near rivers were submerged, prompting local administration to launch rescue operations and evacuate residents to safer locations. Officials said that teams of SDRF (State Disaster Relief Force) were deployed in Nanded, Hingoli and Parbhani districts for rescue work. More than 5,000 people have been shifted to safe places in affected districts. Aurangabad Divisional Commissioner Dilip Gawade told this newspaper, The situation is under control as the rainfall has stopped today. We have been helping out the distressed people. We have now started doing panchnama of the damaged crops in order to provide assistance to the farmers at the earliest.

Teacher Sexually Assaults Girl, People Vandalize His Coaching Centre: Maharashtra Cops

A 16-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted by a teacher at a private coaching centre in Maharashtra's Nanded, leading to protests by locals, who vandalized the coaching centre, the police said.

Student molested by teacher at coaching centre; residents vandalize facility

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A 16-year-old girl student was allegedly molested by a teacher at a private coaching center in Maharashtras Nanded city, triggering a protest by local residents who vandalized the education facility, a police official said on Tuesday, September 3. The girl told her parents about the molestation incident, which took place on September 2 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 .

12 Die As Rain Wreaks Havoc In Marathwada: Major Crop Damage In Beed, Parbhani, Latur, Nanded, Hingoli

Nanded District Collector Abhijit Raut has urged citizens to remain vigilant, particularly those living near rivers, dams and water reservoirs. The constant inflow of water has pushed reservoir levels to the brink, forcing authorities to open floodgates

Rain fury: Over 200 people relocated in Hingoli, crops hit in Nanded

More than 200 persons were relocated and nearly 90 others rescued after heavy rains inundated several areas in Hingoli district of Maharashtra's Marathwada region, while over 2 lakh hectares of land under cultivation got affected in neighbouring Nanded district. Heavy rains have been pounding parts of the Marathwada region, comprising eight districts, since Sunday. At least four persons have lost their lives in rain-related incidents so far. According to officials, 45 revenue circles in Nanded district were affected by the downpour. Crops on more than 2 lakh hectares were affected and 25 animals were reported dead. Crops in Nanded city, Ardhapur, Hadgaon, Degloor, Mudkhed, Kandhar, Loha and Naigaon were badly damaged due to the rains, they said. The crop loss survey will be undertaken after the rain stops, Nanded collector Abhijit Raut said in a release. Bharad, Malegaon and Dabhad revenue circles recorded 170 mm rainfall in just 12 hours on Monday, an official said. The low-lyin

Rain fury: Over 200 people relocated in Hingoli, crops on 2 lakh hectares hit in Nanded

Heavy rains in Maharashtra's Marathwada region have led to the relocation of over 200 people and the rescue of nearly 90 others. The downpour has affected more than 2 lakh hectares of crops in Nanded district and caused significant damage in Hingoli district, where 218 residents were relocated.

Krishna Basin Rain Likely to Drop, While Godavari May See Rise in Flows

Hyderabad :Rainfall and flood forecasts for the Krishna river basin have projected a downward trend for the next week, giving officials time to take up relief operations in the affected regions in the Telugu states. It is expected, according to the India Meteorological Department as well as the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, that the Krishna basin, spread over Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, might experience low to isolated moderate rainfall over the next seven days, compared to the very heavy rain of the last three days. But, with the heavy rain still pushing copious amounts of water into the river, the water flow continue to be heavy but witness a decline once the rainfall begins to slow down. Meanwhile, on Monday, the outflows from the projects on Godavari river witnessed significant drops by the evening, indicating that the catchment areas in its basin are yet to receive heavy rain that could translate into floods in the river. The IMD, in its five-day prediction, said that the districts of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Gadchiroli, and Nanded, through which the river flows before entering Telangana could witness heavy to very heavy rainfall on Tuesday with some areas also experiencing. All of this might contribute to increased inflows into the river that could see the levels rise in Godavari in the next four to five days, officials said. The flows in Godavari were fluctuating at different points because of the time it takes for water to travel the distance between each project, and the contribution from local catchment areas, officials said. On Krishna, if the predictions hold good, then the inflows into Almatti dam might see an average of 1.14 lakh cusecs a day in the coming week, up from 70,000 cusecs reported on Monday. However, with the dam currently enjoying a flood cushion of 7.8 TMC ft and releasing only 30,000 cusecs as of Monday, the downstream flows could be controlled and the flows that come into Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh and Nagarjunasagar in Telangana would mostly come from localised rainfall. As per expectations, the next week could see Srisailam get an average of 5.29 lakh cusecs of water while Nagarjunasagar could witness 5.57 lakh cusecs flow, which, in turn, might affect the timeline for proposed repairs to the two breaches on the projects Left Canal. Infograph Krishna Basin Mondays inflows Predicted inflows for next week Almatti 70,000 1,14,400 Ujjaini 21,000 67,000 Jurala 3,20,000 3,47,500 Srisailam 4,89,868 5,29,000 Nagarjunasagar 5,40,503 5,47,300 Godavari river-Monday data Project Noon Inflows Noon outflows - 6 pm inflows 6 pm outflows Jaikwadi 21,281 600 - 16,018 - 600 Sriramsagar 1,95,767 1,13,853 2,51,250 2,65,853 Kaddam 40,860 79,051 - 49,763 15,211 Sripada Yellampally 50,3691 6,71,941 2,92,815 2,64,787 Medigadda* 35,1970 67,9900 Sammakkasagar* 3,21,730 4,21,380 *Medigadda, Sammakkasagar barrages are fully open

HC orders Nanded man to pay Rs 2 lakh to Uddhav Thackeray for frivolous plea

Mumbai: The Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 2 lakh on a Nanded resident for filing a frivolous plea against Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and has directed him to personally hand over the amount in the form of a demand draft to the former Maharashtra chief minister. 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 .

South Central Railway Cancels 8 Trains, 26 Diverted Amid Heavy Rains

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway on Sunday has cancelled eight trains and diverted 26 trains in view of heavy rains and water logging over the tracks. Two trains were partially cancelled. Accordingly, Vijayawada-Secunderabad (12713), Secunderabad-Vijayawada (12714), Guntur-Secunderabad (17201), Secunderabad-Sirpur Kaghaznagar (17233), Secunderabad-Guntur (12706), Guntur-Secunderabad (12705), Secunderabad-Guntur (17202) and Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad (20708) has been cancelled. SCR also partially cancelled two trains: Tirupati-Karimnagar (12761) train cancelled between Vijayawada-Karimnagar and Visakhapatnam-New Delhi (20805) cancelled between Vijayawada-New Delhi. SCR has also diverted certain trains which are: Visakhapatnam-Nanded (20811) diverted via Vijayawada-Guntur-Nalgonda-Pagidipalli. Visakhapatnam-Tirupati (12739) diverted via Guntur-Nalgonda-Pagidipalli Tambaram-Hyderabad (12759) diverted via Guntur-Nalgonda-Pagidipalli Danapur-Bengaluru (03241) diverted via Kazipet-Secunderabad-Sulehallli-Guntakal-Dharmavaram Nizamuddin-Kanyakumari (12642) diverted via Balharshah-Secunderabad-Sulehalli-Guntakal-Kadapa-Renigunta-Arakkonam-Chennai Beach CST Mumbai-Bhubaneswar (11019) diverted via Secunderabad-Pagidipalli-Guntur-Vijayawada Bhubaneswar -CST Mumbai (11020) diverted via Vijayawada-Guntur-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad Visakhapatnam- LTT Mumbai (18519) diverted via Vijayawada-Guntur-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad Visakhapatnam-Hyderabad (12727) diverted via Vijayawada-Guntur-Nalgonda-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad Ernakulam-Nizamuddin (12645) diverted via Renigunta-Guntakal-Sulehalli-Secunderabad-Kazipet-Balharshah Trivandrum-New Delhi (12625) diverted via Renigunta-Guntakal-Sulehalli-Secunderabad-Kazipet-Balharshah Chennai-New Delhi (12615) diverted via Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam-Vizianagaram-Raipur-Nagpur Chennai-New Delhi (12621) diverted via Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam-Vizianagaram-Raipur-Nagpur Kochuveli-Indore (22646) diverted via Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam-Vizianagaram-Raipur-Nagpur Bengaluru-Danapur (03246) diverted via Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam-Vizianagaram-Raipur-Nagpur Adilabad-Tirupati (17406) diverted via Secunderabad-Sulehalli-Guntakal-Renigunta Tirupati-Adilabad (17405) diverted via Gudur-Tenali-Guntur-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad Srimata Vaishnodevi Katra-Chennai (16032) diverted via Nagpur-Raipur-Vizianagaram-Duvvada-Vijayawada New Delhi-Visakhapatnam (20806) diverted via Nagpur-Raipur-Vizianagaram-Duvvada-Vijayawada New Delhi-Chennai (12616) diverted via Nagpur-Raipur-Vizianagaram-Duvvada-Vijayawada Ahmedabad-Chennai (12655) diverted via Nagpur-Raipur-Vizianagaram-Duvvada-Vijayawada New Delhi-Trivandrum (12626) diverted via Nagpur-Raipur-Vizianagaram-Duvvada-Vijayawada New Delhi-Chennai (12622) diverted via Nagpur-Raipur-Vizianagaram-Duvvada-Vijayawada Bilaspur-Chennai (12851) diverted via Nagpur-Raipur-Vizianagaram-Duvvada-Vijayawada Nizamuddin-Chennai (12270) diverted via Kazipet-Kacheguda-Gooty-Renigunta-Chennai Korba-Kochuveli (22647) diverted via Kazipet-Kacheguda-Gooty-Renigunta-Jolarpettai

Nizamabad tops in fever cases

Nizamabad: The Government General Hospital (GGH) in Nizamabad has surpassed Osmania and Gandhi hospitals in Hyderabad in registration of outpatients, indicating the severity of the viral fever outbreak here. People from Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Nirmal, Jagtial and neighbouring Maharashtra have thronged to the GGH here for treatment. The-750-bed hospital clocked the highest 2,680 patients on August 28. Later it stayed either at first or second place in Telangana state. Almost every household in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts witnessed fever patients. Viral fevers, dengue, chikungunya, typhoid cases were reported from across the district. People from all age groups suffer from viral fevers. Patients suffer minimum five days to one week or even more with body pain, cough, cold and high temperature. Private hospitals are also not left behind. They also do a brisk business with fever cases. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, GGH deputy superintendent Prof. Dr N. Balraj said they have made special arrangements to treat fever cases. Infrastructure is available to serve patients, he said, adding dengue cases were also reported. T. Prabhakar, a native of Mudhole in Nirmal district, said they preferred the Nizamabad GGH to other hospitals. We are unable to afford services in Hyderabad due to long distance, he said. Compared with Adilabad, Nanded district headquarters, Nizamabad is nearest for us, he said, adding people have trust on medical services in GGH Nizamabad. Lack of sanitation in villages and towns worsens the situation in rainy season. Breeding of mosquitoes is high and results in dengue cases. The health department conducts medical camps and door-to-door fever surveys, but the number of cases this time round has alarmingly increased.