Raj Thackeray says the support is only for Narendra Modi's leadership. (File/ Express photograph by Arul Horizon)Mumbai News Highlights (April 09, 2024): Raj Thackeray has declared unconditional support to the ruling Maha Yuti alliance government in Maharashtra in Lok Sabha polls 2024 while addressing MNS Gudi Padwa rally at Shivajj Park in Mumbai. He says the support is only and only for Narendra Modi’s leadership. Raj Thackeray also gave a clarion call to MNS workers to get ready for state Assembly polls ahead and made it clear MNS is not interested in any seat division, Rajya Sabha or MLC seat.
In other news, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders Tuesday finalised seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. During the meeting, it was decided that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena will contest the Sangli Lok Sabha seat. The decision has been “unanimous,” Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said addressing a press conference. The candidates for all the seats will be announced in the coming days.
A day earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Amol Kirtikar was questioned for almost eight hours by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged irregularities in the distribution of khichdi by the Mumbai civic body during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena’s nominee from the Mumbai Northwest Lok Sabha constituency claimed he answered all the questions asked by ED officials and has received no further summons.
ED attaches 413 land parcels in PMC bank fraud case under PMLA provisions
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached 413 agricultural land parcels worth Rs 52.90 crore in Sindhudurg district in connection with the money laundering involved in the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC) bank loan fraud case.
The said land parcels measuring approximately 1,807 acres at Village Vijaydurg, in Devgad taluka have been attached under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the ED said on Tuesday.
The attached land parcels were having registered value of Rs 52.90 crore and the Proceeds of Crime to the tune of Rs 82.30 crore were utilised during the period from 2010 to 2013 for acquiring these parcels of land, the agency said. Read more
Woman in extra-marital relationship arrested for killing two children
A 25-year-old woman was arrested in Maharashtra's Raigad district on Tuesday for allegedly killing her two children as she wanted to live with her paramour, police said on Tuesday.
Sheetal Pole, the woman, allegedly killed her five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son on March 31, an official said.
She wanted to leave her husband and marry the man she was having an affair with, and felt the children to be obstacles, he said.
On the evening of March 31, Sheetal allegedly smothered the kids when her husband was not at home. When the husband returned, she told him that they were sleeping.
On finding the children motionless, the husband rushed them to the Alibag civil hospital where both were declared dead on arrival.
During questioning, police found discrepancies in Sheetal's version of the events. Eventually she confessed to the crime, the official said. (PTI)
Khadse sees no future with Sharad Pawar so he is returning to BJP: NCP leader Praful Patel
Former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse's heart was always with the BJP and he is returning to his parent party as he saw no political future in the Sharad Pawar-founded outfit that he joined in 2020, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel said on Tuesday.
Khadse, an MLC of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), has said he would be returning to the BJP later this month, nearly four years after he quit the saffron outfit with which he was associated for decades. The former cabinet minister joined the undivided NCP in 2020 and was later elected as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
After the NCP suffered a vertical split in July 2023, he remained with party founder Sharad Pawar.
Speaking at a rally, Patel said, "Eknath Khadse switched over to the NCP because of rift with some BJP leaders. But his heart was always with the previous party (BJP). It became apparent that he would return to the BJP when the party re-nominated his daughter-in-law and Member of Parliament Raksha Khadse from the Raver constituency (in Jalgaon district)." "Khadse also realised that he has no political future with Sharad Pawar," said the former Union minister, who aligned with deputy CM Ajit Pawar when the NCP split in July 2023. (PTI)
Deputy Cm Devendra Fadnavis welcomes Raj Thackeray and thanks for support to Maha Yuti alliance
"I am very grateful to MNS Chief Shri Raj Thackeray ji for supporting the grand alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP.
Let us all be determined with full strength to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people!" said Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis after MNS chief Raj Thackeray offered unconditional support to ruling Maha Yuti alliance today.
Raj Thackeray declares unconditional support to Maha Yuti in Lok Sabha polls 2024
Raj Thackeray has declared unconditional support to Maha Yuti in Lok Sabha polls 2024. He says the support is only for Narendra Modi's leadership. Raj Thackeray also gave a clarion call to MNS workers to get ready for state Assembly polls ahead and made it clear MNS is not interested in any seat division, Rajya Sabha or MLC seat.
History-sheeter held for firing, police say he was planning to kill two more persons
Police on Tuesday arrested a 26-year-old man who had jumped parole for allegedly firing at a man and injuring him in Antop Hill area here.
Vivek Shettiyar, who had been released during the COVID-19 pandemic but did not return to jail at the end of parole period, was also allegedly planning to kill two other persons in the city, an official said.
The crime branch of Mumbai Police nabbed him from Dombivli in neighbouring Thane district, the official added.
Earlier, local police had arrested his wife and a friend on the charges of conspiracy.
On Saturday morning, Shettiyar allegedly shot Akash Kadam (35) in the stomach with a country-made pistol. As the pistol got jammed, he could not fire another round and fled from the spot, leaving an injured Kadam behind, police said.
Kadam was with him in prison, according to police.
Shettiyar did not use his mobile phone since the incident which made it difficult for police to track his movements. He was trying to flee the country, an official said. (PTI)
Congress accuses BJP candidate Mungantiwar of giving 'hate' speech, writes to EC
The Congress in Maharashtra on Tuesday accused BJP candidate from Chandrapur Lok Sabha seat Sudhir Mungantiwar of violating the election code of conduct by delivering a "hate" speech and demanded that his nomination be cancelled.
In a letter to the Election Commission (EC), state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said while giving a speech on Monday as part of his campaigning, Mungantiwar engaged in "spreading hate, lowering dignity of women, defamation, dissemination of misinformation and creating enmity among different groups".
"These actions not only violate the model code of conduct and electoral rules but also demonstrate a blatant disregard for ethical campaigning practices and democratic norms," he alleged in the letter.
Londhe demanded that the candidature of Mungantiwar, a state cabinet minister, from Chandrapur be cancelled and a ban be imposed on him from contesting future elections. (PTI)
Three contract labourers die while cleaning sewage treatment plant in Palghar
Three contract labourers died of suffocation while cleaning a sewage treatment plant (STP) at a housing complex in Palghar district of Maharashtra on Tuesday, police said.
Another labourer was missing, they said.
The private housing complex in Virar (West) on Mumbai's outskirts has a 25-feet deep sewage treatment plant and labourers were hired to clean it, said a police officer.
The officer at the Virar police station told reporters that four labourers in their 20s entered the plant at around 11.30 am for cleaning it, but did not come out.
Local fire service personnel were immediately called and they found three bodies in the plant which were pulled out and sent for post-mortem, he said, adding the trio died of suffocation during the cleaning operation. (PTI)
Police force deployed in Naxal-hit area in Gadricholi, for conducting safe and peaceful elections on April 19
Dyeing unit gutted in fire in Bhiwandi town; none injured
A textile dyeing unit was completely gutted in a fire in Maharashtra's Thane district on Tuesday afternoon, though no one was injured in the incident, civic officials said.
The blaze broke out in the unit at Bhiwandi town at around 1 pm, Fire Officer of Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNMC) Khalil Darekar said.
No one was injured in the fire, whose cause was not immediately known, he said.
On getting information, fire fighting vehicles along with personnel were rushed to the spot to douse the flames, said Darekar. (PTI)
Mumbai Congress is upset with the MVA seat sharing announcement: Mumbai Congress leader Yuvraj Mohite
Everyone will follow the orders of the party High Command: Nana Patole
After the MVA meeting, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole says, "Everyone will follow the orders of the party High Command..." The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders Tuesday finalised seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. During the meeting, it was decided that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena will contest the Sangli Lok Sabha seat. The decision has been “unanimous,” Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said addressing a press conference. The candidates for all the seats will be announced in the coming days.
Congress leader Raju Waghmare joined Eknath Shinde Shive Sena today
Congress leader Raju Waghmare joined Eknath Shinde Shive Sena today.
Maharashtra Poll Pourri: PM Modi’s first Lok Sabha rally in state; Yogi Adityanath terms Nitin Gadkari ‘Aajatshatru’
No posters, no banners
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first Lok Sabha poll campaign rally in Maharashtra from Chandrapur in Vidarbha region, there was not a single BJP banner or poster in Chandrapur district and even at the venue. This became the talk of the town on Monday. The unusual move of not putting up welcome banners or posters and BJP flags came at a time when Congress candidate Pratibha Dhanorkar who is contesting against BJP’s Sudhir Mungantiwar had put up several huge hoardings of herself having a message that describes BJP government as an “autocratic regime” and asking people to vote for her in order to save democracy. Read more
'No other PM disrespected the institution so much': Sharad Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar, addressing a press conference on Tuesday, said, "PM is an institution and we respect it. But no PM other than Narendra Modi has disrespected it so much."
'BJP has become party of scared, impotent, corrupt': Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said, 'Yesterday's speech was not of India's PM. It was the speech of one of the leaders of corrupt and feared BJP. From today onwards, our answer to him will not be to the PM but to one of the leaders of the BJP.
'BJP has become the party of Bhekad (scared) and Bhakad (impotent), Bhrasht (corrupt),' Thackeray said.
"This BJP is a party of extortionist which has been proven by electoral bond scheme. This leader (Modi) belonged to this party of extortinoist. I just want him to remember the history when your leaders used to bow down in front of Balasaheb Thackeray. If he is happy with the chinese goods (Shinde) with him then I wish him luck," he added.
'We continue to respect Prakash Ambedkar': Uddhav Thackeray on VBA
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, responding at the press conference on Tuesday, shared, "We tried hard to ensure our alliance becomes bigger and inclusive. We expected Prakash Ambedkar in our alliance. Unfortunately it did not work out. We have decided not to reply him, irrespective of what he says. We always continue to respect him."
'Our party has begun fight against dictatorial govt': MPCC president Nana Patole
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Nana Patole, addressing a press conference at Shiv Sena office, Shivalaya, near Mantralaya, said, "Our party has begun the fight against the dictatorial government. Any dispute over seat sharing is over. We have decided to work to defeat Modi Government and our workers will do the same."
"There is no dispute on Sangli and Bhiwandi. There will be no issue on vote transfer. Original SS and NCP is with us and workers of three parties will work together," Patole asserted.
'We have started working together': Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thcakeray
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "it is natural that discussion go on till the end in case of seat sharing. Ultimately, we have to close discussions somehwere and begin campaign. There is no crime of having ambitions. However, ultimately we have to come together to win by deciding whom to defeat. We have started working together."
He also announced that the candidates list for each of the seats will be declared in a couple of days.
Shiv Sena (UBT) to contest 21 seats in upcoming LS polls
The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena will contest a total of 21 seats in the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra.
Here's the list:
Jalgaon, Parbhani, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Raigad, Maval, Dharashiv, Ratnagiri, Buldhana, Hatkanaganle, Sambhajinagar, Shirdi, Sangli, Hingoli, Yavatmal-Washim, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North West, Mumbai South, Mumbai North east.
NCP SP to contest 10 seats in upcoming Lok Sabha polls
The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction will contest a total of 10 seats in Maharashtra during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, which include:
Baramati
Shirur
Satara
Bhiwandi
Madha
Raver
Wardha
Ahmadnagar
Beed
Dindori
Congress set to contest 17 seats in Maharashtra
The Congress party in Maharashtra will contest a total of 17 seats in Maharashtra.
These include:
Nandurbar, Dhule, Akola, Amaravati, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondia, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Nanded, Jalna, Mumbai North Central, Pune, Latur, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ramtek and Mumbai North.
Seat-sharing pact announced on the 'auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa': NCP SP Jayant Patil
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) state president Jayant Patil, beginning the address, said, "I am happy to inform that we are going to announce the outcome of discussions on seat sharing on the auspicious occassion of Gudi Padwa."
Around nine political parties and various other organisations are part of the MVA.
MVA finalises seat-sharing in Maharashtra; Uddhav's Sena to contest Sangli
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders Tuesday announced the seat-sharing pact for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.
During the meeting, it was decided that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena will contest the Sangli Lok Sabha seat. The decision has been “unanimous,” Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said addressing a press conference. The candidates for all the seats will be announced in the coming days.
Congress source of all problems in country, says Modi; takes bitter gourd jibe at rival party
In an acerbic attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held the grand old party responsible for all ills plaguing the country and went on to compare the outfit to bitter gourd (karela), whose taste he said, will never change even if it is "fried in ghee or mixed with sugar".
Seeking votes for the BJP-led NDA, he declared the ensuing Lok Sabha polls were a fight between stability and instability, and accused the opposition of seeking power only to indulge in corruption.
Addressing his first rally in Maharashtra ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Modi targeted the Congress and its policies. "The Congress is the source of all problems in the country. Who was responsible for the Partition of the country on the basis of religion...Kashmir (issue), Naxalism? Who opposed Ram temple construction and questioned the existence of Lord Ram. Who declined the Ram temple (inauguration) invite?" he asked the gathering at Chandrapur, the only Lok Sabha seat won by the Congress in 2019.
India's borders have become safer under PM Modi: UP CM Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said during Narendra Modi's tenure as prime minister, India's borders have become safer and respect for the country has increased in the world.
Speaking at a rally at Hinganghat town in Maharashtra's Wardha district, the UP CM asked the Congress if it could ever assemble the resolve to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and abolish 'triple talaq'.
Under PM Modi's leadership, the NDA govt wants to make India a global power, Adityanath said. The opposition, on the other hand, neither has a "neta" (leader) nor "niti"(policy) nor "niyat" (intention) to take the country on the path of development, he claimed. "During Modi's tenure as PM, the country's borders have become safer, respect for India has increased in world. Its passport has more power now," he said.
Lok Sabha: 204 candidates in the fray for 8 Maharashtra seats that will go to polls on Apr 26
A total of 204 candidates are in the fray for eight Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra that will go to polls in the second phase on April 26, an official said. Monday was the last date for withdrawal of nominations, he added.
"There were 299 valid nominations. Of these 204 remain in the fray in Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal-Washim, Hingoli, Nanded and Parbhani," he said. In Parbhani, seven candidates withdrew their nomination forms, leaving 34 contestants in the fray, an official said.
Pay double property tax from May 1 for Marathi signboard violation: BMC
Shops and establishments not displaying signboards in Marathi or Devanagari script will have to pay double property tax from May 1, Mumbai's civic body said.
In a release, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also said it had decided to cancel the licence of illuminated boards (glow signs) that do not have lettering in Marathi or in Devanagari script, adding that renewing the licence will cost between Rs 25,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.
Adityanath hails 'ajaatshatru' Gadkari for pursuing development
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called Union Minister and BJP's Nagpur Lok Sabha candidate Nitin Gadkari 'ajaatshatru' (one without enemies). Addressing a poll rally in Nagpur, he asked people to ensure Narendra Modi becomes prime minister for a third term saying "hum unko laayenge jo Ram ko laaye hain" (we will elect those who built the Ram Temple).
Hailing Gadkari, the UP CM said, "He represents development and is ajaatshatru. He should be elected with a record number of votes." Gadkari praised Adityanath for changing the face of UP by maintaining law and order and bringing in industrial and agricultural development.
Preparations underway at Shivaji Park for MNS rally
Sena (UBT)'s Amol Kirtikar leaves ED office after 8 hours of questioning
Amol Kirtikar was allowed to go home by ED officials after around eight hours of questionning in the khichdi scam case. He told reporters that the agency has not called him again for questioning.
He later took to X, "The strength to stay mentally strong at this moment is comes from all of your support."
CA Amber Dalal, accused of fraud to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore, sent to judicial custody
Mumbai-based investment consultant and chartered accountant (CA) Amber Dalal, 59, accused of defrauding crores from several people on the pretext of investment, was sent to judicial custody by a special MPID court.
Dalal, the owner of Ritz Consultancy Services, was arrested on March 26 from Rishikesh, Uttrakhand. He was in EOW's custody for 11-days. Dalal is suspected to have defrauded over 1,000 people to the tune of more than Rs 1,000 crore.
Will join BJP in next 15 days, says NCP (SP) MLC Eknath Khadse
NCP (SP) MLC Eknath Khadse has expressed his gratitude towards party chief Sharad Pawar for helping him in distress and said he would join the BJP, his parent organisation, in the next 15 days. Veteran leader Khadse had to resign in 2016 as a minister of the erstwhile Devendra Fadnavis cabinet owing to a land deal case.
Once one of the tallest leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra, Khadse was relegated to the political wilderness for almost five years before Sharad Pawar rehabilitated him in NCP (undivided) in 2020 when he ended his 40-year-old association with the BJP.
Khadse said, "I have decided to go back to the BJP as it is my home. I have served the party for four decades. I express my gratitude towards Sharad Pawar who helped me during the distress." "I have spoken to leaders like BJP national president J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I will join the party in New Delhi in next 15 days. Once I get a call, I will visit Delhi," he said.
PM Modi to address rally in Chandrapur today
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Watch | Sena (UBT) Amol Kirtikara arrives at ED office
PM Modi to hold a mega rally in Maharashtra today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in a public meeting scheduled to take place in Chandrapur, Maharashtra on Monday. PM Modi’s visit to the state comes amid a tussle between Mahayuti partners — BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP — over seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections.
ED summons Sena (UBT) Amol Kirtikar in Khichdi scam case
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday issued summons to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Mumbai North West Lok Sabha candidate Amol Kirtikar, in the Khichdi scam case. Amol is the party’s candidate from Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency. His father Gajanan Kirtikar is the incumbent MP in the seat. The ‘khichdi’ scam pertains to irregularities in awarding contracts to distribute ‘khichdi’ to migrant workers during the Covid-19 period. Within hours of Shiv Sena announcing Amol as their candidate from North West Mumbai, he received ED summons on March 27. “I could not go last time because I was at my native place. However, I will be going on Monday. I do not put it past them to arrest me. I am, however, not scared and am making the necessary preparations for it,“ Amol told The Indian Express.