Shiv Sena (UBT) workers protest against Speaker Rahul Narwekar after the Shiv Sena MLA disqualification case verdict, in Nagpur, Thursday. (PTI)Mumbai News Highlights (January 15): The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena moved the Supreme Court challenging Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s order declaring the Sena bloc led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the “real political party” after its split in June 2022. The Speaker had also rejected the Thackeray faction’s plea to disqualify 16 MLAs of the ruling camp, including Shinde.
Meanwhile, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange on Monday said he would launch an indefinite fast for quota in Mumbai on January 26, either at Azad Maidan or Shivaji Park ground, reported news agency PTI. “Maratha community members will set out for Mumbai from Antarwali Sarati village (in Jalna district) on January 20. Part of their journey will be on foot and the rest using vehicles. Our target is to reach Mumbai by January 26,” he told reporters in Antarwali Sarati village, the ground zero of the Maratha quota agitation led by him.
Weather today ☀️: After a foggy or misty morning on Monday, skies are expected to be mainly clear for the rest of the day in Mumbai. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 33 degrees celsius, while the mercury is likely to drop to at least 18 degrees celsius today.
On Saturday, the worst air quality was observed in Malad West at 247, followed by Mazgaon (246). (Express File Photo)
Atal Setu definitely a sight to behold but don't stop midway, say cops; warn of FIR
Nearly 80,000 vehicles have used the Atal Setu, the country's longest sea bridge that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, since it was thrown open to the public at 8 am on Saturday but the over-enthusiasm of some motorists has also raised concern among netizens.
People have been spotted clicking selfies, stopping on the bridge to enjoy the view of the sea and even trying to access areas that could turn dangerous for those involved, as well as littering, with photographs, videos and reels flooding social media.
Late Monday evening, in a message on social media platform X, the Mumbai police said " we agree Atal Setu is definitely a watch but it is also illegal to stop on it and click photos". "You will face an FIR if you stop on MTHL," the police warned motorists.
On Saturday, a total of 24,083 vehicles used the sea bridge, while the figure was 55,367 on Day 2, a Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority spokesperson said.
About 1,300 people reported sick during MTHL event
About 1,300 people of more than one lakh attendees at the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link inauguration event reported sick due to dehydration and headache after exposure to heat for long hours, according to Raigad district health officials.
Raigad district civil surgeon Dr Nitin Deomane on Monday said approximately 1,300 people reported sick after the Navi Mumbai event. "It is expected that some people may fall sick when such huge events are organised. If 1-2 per cent of the people attending such open-door events face some inconvenience such as dehydration, headache, nauseating feelings etc, it is considered normal in our field," said Dr Deomane.
Approximately 1,300 people reported sick after the Navi Mumbai event, he said, adding that two persons were admitted to a hospital for a day and discharged on the next day.
Threat call: Security increased outside Uddhav Thackeray’s Mumbai residence
Police have stepped up security outside the residence of Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray after receiving a threat call at the control room.
According to police, the state police headquarters in Colaba on Sunday received a (threat) call from a person who claimed to be a passenger in a Mumbai-Gujarat train. The caller told police that he heard 4-5 people from a community talking in Urdu and planning a “big sabotage” outside the residence of Thackeray, who lives with his family in Bandra (East). Read more
Northerly winds help improve AQI, induce dip in minimum temperatures
On Monday morning, Mumbaikars woke up to pleasant weather and clear skies with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 73 in the city. While the maximum temperature floated over 30 degrees, the minimum dropped to 18.7 degrees on Sunday night, indicating a stark fall from Saturday. According to scientists and weather experts, Mumbai is experiencing good air quality owing to the northerlies that arrived on Sunday.
Read more
264 motorists penalised for stopping on MTHL for selfie and picnicking on Day 2
As many as 264 motorists were penalised Rs 500 each on Sunday for unnecessarily stopping their vehicles on the newly Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mumbai Trans Harbour Link for clicking pictures and picknicking, affecting vehicular movement on the sea bridge, police said.
Traffic police of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai have warned of registering criminal offences against motorists if they stop the vehicle on the sea bridge. Read more
How Maharashtra Speaker’s observations differ from Supreme Court’s 2023 findings
While declaring that the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was the “real Shiv Sena” at the time of the party’s split on June 21, 2022, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday made certain observations related to the appointments of the Chief Whip and the Leader of the Legislature Party which were contrary to the Supreme Court’s May 2023 findings.
The five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud in its May 11, 2023 verdict had held that the Speaker’s decision of appointing Shinde faction MLA Bharat Gogawale as Chief Whip in place of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Prabhu was “illegal”, which Narwekar contradicted after perusing the submissions by rival factions. Read more
Shinde faction is real Shiv Sena, rules Maharashtra Speaker: Top quotes from his verdict
In yet another jolt to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said the faction led by now CM Eknath Shinde was the real Shiv Sena at the time the rival factions emerged.
Apart from rejecting the disqualification pleas against MLAs of both sides, Narwekar also said that Sunil Prabhu of the Sena (UBT) ceased to be the whip from June 21, 2022, and Bharat Gogawale of the Shinde group became the authorised whip.
Read the top quotes from the verdict here
Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena (UBT) have different title, symbol but same whip?
The Speaker’s verdict pronouncing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena as the original party without disqualifying members from the other faction led by Uddhav Thackeray has compounded the problems. The question being asked now is whose whip will apply?
In public perception, the verdict pronounced by the Speaker on Thursday clearly states that there are two different groups–one Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the other Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). In such a situation, how can Shinde faction’s whip apply to Thackeray faction? Read more
Uddhav faction moves SC against Speaker's order declaring Shinde group as real Shiv Sena
The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena moved the Supreme Court challenging Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar's order declaring the Sena bloc led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the "real political party" after its split in June 2022.
The Speaker had also also rejected the Thackeray faction's plea to disqualify 16 MLAs of the ruling camp, including Shinde.
Manoj Jarange to launch indefinite fast for Maratha quota in Mumbai from Jan 26
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange on Monday said he would launch an indefinite fast for quota in Mumbai on January 26, either at Azad Maidan or Shivaji Park ground.
"Maratha community members will set out for Mumbai from Antarwali Sarati village (in Jalna district) on January 20. Part of their journey will be on foot and the rest using vehicles. Our target is to reach Mumbai by January 26," he told reporters in Antarwali Sarati village, the ground zero of the Maratha quota agitation led by him.
I will start walking from Antarwali Sarati village on January 20, he said.
Jarange shared the plan for the upcoming agitation at the press conference.
"Agitators will start from Antarwali Sarati at 9 Am on January 20. They will walk till noon every day. Later they will board vehicles and proceed towards their next destination for a night halt," he added.
Marathas have been holding protests for reservations in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
(PTI report)
Congress deviated from ideological roots, fostering caste division: Milind Deora
Former Union minister Milind Deora has justified his decision to quit the Congress and join Shiv Sena, alleging that the Grand Old Party has deviated from its ideological and organisational roots, "fostering" caste divisions, and targeting business houses.
Deora also said he aspired to collaborate with a leader who values constructive ideas, and that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has acknowledged his potential.
The former Mumbai South MP on Sunday morning resigned from the primary membership of the Congress, ending his family's "55-year-old association" with the party. Hours later he joined the Shiv Sena at the official residence of Shinde.
Deora later posted a statement on his social media account on X listing reasons for quitting Congress.
(PTI report)
Pictures from 17 states tell a thousand stories of single-screen cinema theatres
Over 90,000 photographs from 17 states, including Maharashtra, taken by photographer and cinematographer Hemant Chaturvedi give a glimpse of the past, present and future of single screen cinema theatres.
Since 2019, Chaturvedi has shot around 1,045 theatres. At present, 32 of these photographs are exhibited at the Kala Ghoda Café in South Mumbai as part of the Mumbai Gallery Weekend, where one may also find Chaturvedi explaining to enthusiasts what his project means.
Some of these photos show broken seats, others show cement debris where cinema-goers perhaps once whistled at a superstar’s entry. Some show the worn-out upholstery, others show high multi-coloured walls and the main screen adorned with borders designed to make the experience grand.
Read full story.
Mumbai weather: Air Quality Index Update
On Monday morning, Mumbai woke up to very clear skies with the overall AQI dropping to 73, which falls in the 'satisfactory' category.
Of the city's 19 recording stations, four registered an AQI below 50, which falls in the 'good' category. The best air quality has been observed in Worli where the AQI stands at 34 followed by Bhandup's Khindipada (44) and Borivali and Vile Parle (49).
At 105, the worst AQI was registered in Malad.
Mumbai Confidential: Self-created issues
Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Abdul Sattar, known to be temperamental, is finding it difficult to keep himself away from self-made controversies these day.
Days after courting a controversy for ordering a lathi charge on crowds at an event organised for his birthday in his constituency, Sattar has been in the news for all the wrong reasons once again after he publicly indulged in a verbal slanging match with his party’s MP Hemant Patil.
The two were caught on tape freely abusing each other during an online meeting of Hingoli District Planning committe. Many close to Sattar say that expecting the minister to change his demenour is futile.
Continue reading.
In Pictures | Annual Pongal Celebration at Dharavi
(Express photo by Deepak Joshi)
Sharad Mohol murder case: Prime suspect among six held in Navi Mumbai
The Navi Mumbai Police nabbed a prime suspect and five others in connection with the gangster Sharad Mohol murder case which is being investigated by the Pune crime branch, an official said on Monday.
Acting on specific information, a team of Panvel City Police on Sunday evening nabbed some of the accused from the Panvel highway and others outside a dance bar in Vashi in Navi Mumbai, he said, adding that the six accused were handed over to the Pune crime branch.
The number of persons arrested in the case so far has risen to 14.
Pune Police had arrested eight persons, including prime suspect Sahil Polekar (20) and two lawyers, from a spot on the Pune-Satara highway along with firearms and live bullets.
"The persons nabbed by Navi Mumbai Police include the main suspect Ramdas Marne believed to be involved in the conspiracy and execution of Mohol's killing," the official said.
(PTI report)
Fire breaks out in municipal school in Mumbai; no casualties
A fire broke out in a municipal school located in Parel area of Mumbai on Monday morning, officials said.
Nobody was injured in the incident as the school was closed due to the Makar Sankranti holiday.
"The blaze erupted in the five-storey Saibaba School located opposite Mint Colony Monorail Station at around 9.15 am. Four fire engines and other fire brigade vehicles immediately rushed to the school and doused the fire within 20 minutes," an official said.
He said the blaze broke out in a store room on the ground floor where mattresses were kept. The flames were mainly confined to electric wiring and other fitments.
The exact cause of the fire cannot be known immediately but some residents of the area claimed that they heard multiple explosions of gas cylinders in the school building.
A thick cloud of black smoke sent up by the fire was visible in the area from a distance.
The cooling operation was underway at the spot, the official added.
(PTI report)
Ensure cleanliness of all temples in week: Maharashtra CM tells collectors
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed the district collectors to undertake a cleanliness drive at all temples in the state and ensure the change is "visible" within a week, ahead of the consecration of Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
Shinde gave these instructions at a review meeting chaired by him at his official residence here on Sunday.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to keep temples clean. The district collectors in Maharashtra should undertake a cleanliness drive across all the temples and decorate them with electric lights. The change should be visible within a week," Shinde said.
He said the District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) of every district should allocate some funds for undertaking the cleaning of temples and surroundings at regular intervals.
DPDCs can allocate funds through a special scheme, Shinde told the collectors, as per a release.
The chief minister also asked the state revenue department to appoint a nodal officer to monitor this work.
(PTI report)
Weather today ☀ï¸
After a foggy or misty morning on Monday, skies are expected to be mainly clear for the rest of the day in Mumbai. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 33 degrees celsius, while the mercury is likely to drop to at least 18 degrees celsius today.
'During the establishment of the MVA in Maharashtra in 2019, I opposed the alliance with UBT':Milind Deora
Taking to X, former Union Minister Milind Deora expressed the need to explain the rationale behind his departure and alignment with the Shiv Sena. In a letter, he highlighted key factors that influenced his decision.
The letter began by recounting his history within the Congress and his efforts to bring about reforms and accountability following the party's defeat in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
"During the establishment of the MVA in Maharashtra in 2019, I opposed the alliance with UBT, foreseeing its detrimental impact on the Congress. Despite personal gains taking precedence over ideology for both UBT and Congress, I consistently advocated for caution over four years," he said.
"Despite being sidelined, my commitment remained steadfast in upholding the enduring relationship my family shares with the Gandhi family and the party. For a decade, I tirelessly worked for the party in various roles without seeking personal position or power," Deora added.
In Pics | Ex-Congress leader Milind Deora joins Shiv Sena in the presence of CM Shinde
(Express Photos by Sankhadeep Banerjee)
TBM Mavala's next job—twin tunnels connecting Orange Gate with Marine Drive
Mavala—the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) which earned its reputation for digging the country’s first ever undersea twin tunnels in Mumbai is soon to be deployed for a new assignment aimed at improving Mumbai’s connectivity.
According to civic officials, Mavala will be used for boring underground twin tunnels that will connect Orange Gate with Marine Drive. These tunnels will commence near the Eastern Freeway drop at Orange Gate and will extend towards the western side of the island city. This proposed project has been taken up by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the contract for executing the project has been awarded to Larsen and Toubro (L&T). Read more
Congress abuses industrialists, calls them anti-nationals: Milind Deora’s veiled swipe at Rahul Gandhi
Milind Deora on Sunday launched a veiled attack on Congress leadership after joining Shiv Sena, saying his parent party is not the same as it used to be when Manmohan Singh had launched economic reforms but it is now abusing industrialists, businessmen and calling them anti-nationals.
Addressing a gathering at Varsha, the official residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde here, Deora said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have a vision for developing the country. He also hailed Shinde as the “most accessible” chief minister.
“It is not easy to decide to quit Congress with whom the Deora family has been associated for 55 years. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde requires good people. It is the opinion of Shinde and Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde that I can represent his vision and I am thankful to them for trusting me.” “I want to tell one thing, I was loyal to Congress when it was going through a difficult phase. I joined Congress in 2004. If Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) had focused on the constructive suggestions and merit, we would not be sitting here,” he said pointing at Shinde, whose rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray split Shiv Sena in June 2022. Read more
Mumbai youngsters illegally sold drugs like Viagra online by speaking in US accents: police
The Mumbai police claimed to have busted an illegal call centre in Andheri East from where fraudsters posing as American pharmaceutical executives allegedly called US citizens and illegally sold them erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra and an opioid pain drug.
The police’s crime branch said it had arrested 10 people, including a lawyer, and that three more people were wanted in the case. Read more
‘Is this a picnic?’: Aditya Thackeray targets CM Eknath Shinde’s ‘50-people entourage’ for World Economic Forum
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray alleged on Sunday that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was taking almost 50 people including officials’ family members to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and asked if they were going on a picnic.
“The unconstitutional cm is taking a personal entourage of almost 50 people to Davos. This includes officers, staffers and more. One can understand at the maximum, spouses, but for some of them, their kids are also being taken along as if this is a holiday, taking up the number to almost 70 people. Or may be this is a really a holiday,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Uddhav Thackeray to hold mega town hall event on Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s disqualification order
Days after Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar recognised the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the real Shiv Sena and refused to disqualify its MLAs, the Shiv Sena (UBT) said its chief Uddhav Thackeray will hold a mega town hall event opposing the decision. The event will be held at the NSCI dome in Worli on Tuesday.
Making the announcement, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, “It would be a first-of-its-kind press conference which would be addressed by Uddhav Thackeray ji. It would be a public teardown of the Speaker’s order on Shiv Sena. It would be open for the public and would be attended by experts too.” Read more
Deora quits Cong: Does BJP have no talent of its own, asks Sule
Supriya Sule of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party on Sunday mocked the BJP and asked if it had no talent of its own, her statement coming in the backdrop of former Union minister Milind Deora quitting the Congress.
There is speculation Deora will join the Shiv Sena of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, which is allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Asked about the development, Sule said the BJP and its allies were becoming the Congress, an apparent reference to leaders from the grand old party switching allegiance to the ruling side.
"I wonder if there is no talent in the BJP. What about those BJP workers who have toiled tirelessly for the party," she asked. (PTI)
'Today's Congress is very different from the Congress of 1968 as well as that of 2004': Milind Deora
After joining Shiv Sena, Milind Deora says, "I have been receiving a lot of phone calls since morning that why did I sever 55-year-old ties of my family with Congress party...I was loyal to the party during its most challenging decade. Unfortunately, today's Congress is very different from the Congress of 1968 as well as that of 2004. Had Congress and UBT given importance to constructive & positive suggestions and merit & capability, Eknath Shinde and I wouldn't have been here. Eknath Shinde had to make a major decision, I had to make a major decision..."
Ex-Congress leader Milind Deora joins Shiv Sena, says wants to strengthen CM Shinde's hands further
Former Congress leader Milind Deora joined the Shiv Sena today in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a ceremony held in Mumbai.
After joining the party, Deora expressed his admiration for Eknath Shinde, describing him as a "grounded and accessible leader" who is attuned to the challenges and aspirations of the people of Maharashtra. During the ceremony, Deora affirmed his commitment to strengthen Shinde's leadership further and praised his vision for Mumbai and the state.
"I am joining him to strengthen his hands further. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah also have a vision for the country. I want to strengthen their hands as well through the Shiv Sena," Deora said.
"My family has a long-standing relationship with the Shiv Sena. My father, Murli Deora, was able to become the Mayor of Mumbai because of Balasaheb Thackeray," Deora said.
Ex-Congress leader Milind Deora joins Shiv Sena in presence of CM Shinde
Former Congress leader Milind Deora joins Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.
Don't steal, have guts to form your own party, Sanjay Raut tells CM Shinde, Ajit Pawar
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday attacked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar over the split in the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party and accused them of "stealing parties".
The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 after a rebellion by Shinde, while the NCP got divided after Ajit Pawar joined the state government along with eight MLAs in July last year.
"Some are stealing their uncle's party and some are stealing somebody else's party. Have the guts to form your own party and take us on," he said in a swipe at Pawar, whose uncle Sharad Pawar founded the NCP, and Shinde, whose Sena was started by Uddhav Thackeray's father late Bal Thackeray. (PTI)
Milind Deora arrives at Varsha, Shinde's official residence
Milind Deora has reached Varsha bungalow, the official residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai. Deora announced his resignation from the Congress partytoday.
Deora quits Cong: Gaikwad asks him to reconsider, Patole slams ruling alliance
Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Sunday said it was unfortunate colleague and former Union minister Milind Deora had quit the party on the day when the Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' commences from strife-torn Manipur.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole called it a ploy by the Bharatiya Janata Party to divert attention from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' and mocked Deora as a "twice defeated candidate".
Former chief minister Ashok Chavan said Deora wanted to contest from South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat. In a video statement, Gaikwad urged the former South Mumbai Lok Sabha MP to reconsider his decision saying his family and the Congress family were one.
"It is unfortunate Deora chose to quit on a day when the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra starts from Manipur. I urge him to reconsider his decision. The Congress has always stood by him," she said.
"The Congress party and I are extremely sad at the development. The AICC in charge and I tried to hold a dialogue with Milind Deora (to impress upon him) that we are family and have to be together," said Gaikwad, an MLA from Mumbai's Dharavi area.
Former chief minister and Congress Working Committee member Ashok Chavan said Deora wanted to contest from South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat but the (Maha Vikas Aghadi) alliance's understanding what that the sitting MP must not be disturbed. "He could have got some other opportunity. But to quit is his call," Chavan told PTI.
Deora, who was recently appointed the joint treasurer of the All India Congress Committee, had expressed disapproval at the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) laying claim to the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat.
The undivided Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant, now with the Thackeray faction, had defeated Deora in the 2014 and 2019 general elections. Speaking on the issue, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the Bharatiya Janata Party is frightened with the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' that is set to begin during the day.
"The BJP was spreading rumours that the Congress will split. Now the BJP and its allies are taking along with them a twice defeated candidate to divert attention from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. This attempt will not be successful," he said.
The yatra will conclude in Mumbai and will bring with it the end of the ruling alliance comprising the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the BJP and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, Patole asserted. PTI
Milind Deora quits Cong: No compromise on South Mumbai LS seat, says Sanjay Raut
Against the backdrop of former Union minister Milind Deora quitting the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said there would be no compromise on the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat.
Deora had recently expressed disapproval at the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) laying claim to the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat.
The undivided Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant, now with the Thackeray faction, had defeated Deora from the constituency in the 2014 and 2019 general elections.
'Sawant is a two-time MP. What is wrong with him contesting again? There will be no compromise on this,' Raut asserted.
Queried on Deora quitting the Congress, Raut said, 'We knew Murli Deora well and what it is to work for the party and sacrifice for it. If people change localities to contest elections, it shows a new trend has started in the state.' Deora was also the head of the Mumbai Congress at one time. He is the son of party stalwart late Murli Deora.
Earlier in the day, former chief minister and Congress Working Committee member Ashok Chavan said Deora wanted to contest from South Mumbai seat but the understanding within the MVA alliance was to not disturb the sitting MP. PTI
‘I'm walking on the path of development’ says Milind Deora ahead of joining Shinde-led Sena
After quitting Congress, and ahead of joining Eknath Shinde lef Shiv Sena, Milin Deora said, "I am walking on the path of development."
'Save TS Chankaya Lake': Locals, environmental activists hold protest
Locals and environment lovers are held a protest at TS Chanakya in Nerul on Sunday morning, in a bid to spread awareness about the destruction of water bodies, and the envornment at large.
(Photos by Narendra Vaska)
Timing of Deora's resignation determined by PM Modi: Jairam Ramesh
"I recall my long years of association with MURLI Deora with great fondness. He had close friends in all political parties, but was a stalwart Congressman who ALWAYS stood by the Congress party — through thick and thin," worte Jairam Ramesh in a post on X, after Milind Deora resigned from Congress, ending his '55-year relationship' with the party.
He added that the timing of his resignation was determined by PM Modi, reported PTI.
How did opening day of Atal Setu go?
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Sealink (MTHL), which opened to traffic at 8 am on Saturday, saw a total of 8,169 vehicles in 12 hours on day one, according to figures provided by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) which takes care of this bridge. While people spent Rs 375 for a return trip on the Trans link on Saturday, many said the toll was too expensive for a daily commute.
Milind Deora quits Congress, to join Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena today
Senior leader and former Lok Sabha MP Milind Deora quit the Congress on Sunday and will be joining Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena at 2 pm today. CM Shinde, along with his supporters, will welcome Deora to the party. Deora, who has lost two successive Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019 to Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant, had expressed unhappiness over the possibility of the Mumbai South seat going to Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena.