Former Maharashtra Chief Minister formally joins BJP in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and BJP President Chandrashekar Bawankule at BJP headquarters in Mumbai. (Express photo by Deepak Joshi)Mumbai News Highlights (February 13): Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan made his political move by joining the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbai, just a day after parting ways with the Congress. Addressing concerns raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut regarding the Adarsh scam, Chavan defended himself, stating, “The Bombay High Court’s decision favoured me. I view it as a political mishap. Although certain agencies have contested the court’s ruling, I have endured enough and consider it a non-issue now.”
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified the inquiries about Ashok Chavan’s potential nomination as the BJP’s Rajya Sabha candidate from the state are in the hands of the Central leadership. He also said that the party’s nomination would be disclosed once the leadership finalizes the candidate. Uddhav Thackeray criticised Chavan over the Adarsh housing scam, suggesting it’s disrespectful to martyred soldiers if BJP sends Chavan to Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s decision recognizing the faction led by Ajit Pawar as the authentic Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This move comes after the EC declared Ajit Pawar’s faction as the legitimate NCP on February 6, assigning them the party symbol ‘clock’. Sharad’s plea, filed through his lawyer Abhishek Jebaraj, contests the EC’s ruling.
Chennithala calls Ashok Chavan ‘coward’ who chose to quit the battlefield
Terming former Congress leader Ashok Chavan as a “coward” who chose to run away from the battlfield, Congress Maharashtra incharge Ramesh Chennithala said that he backstabbed the party by joining hands with the opponents.
Demanding an answer from Chavan as to why he quit the party, Chennithala said that it was the Congress that twice made him the Chief Minister and made him minister for 15 years.
Read the full story here
Maharashtra govt approves land for old-age home for theatre artists: minister
The Maharashtra government has decided to allot two-acre land near Mumbai to set up an old-age home for poor theatre and backstage artists, Industries Minister Uday Samant said.
Speaking at the function to inaugurate the 100th Akhil Bhartiya Natya Sammelan in Latur city, he said the land would be allotted through the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation in Ambernath area in Thane district.
"The state government stands firmly with Marathi artists and has provided funds for various initiatives of the Akhil Bhartiya Natya Parishad. The Parishad needs to organise various activities in the future to produce talented artists. A good script is necessary for a good play. Therefore, contests need to be organised in the state to find out good dramatists," Samant said.
Chavan's slip of tongue draws laughter at Maharashtra BJP headquarters
Ashok Chavan, a Congress stalwart transitioning to the BJP, committed a gaffe when he mistakenly referred to Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar as the Congress's city unit president during his joining speech. The room filled with laughter before Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stepped in to rectify the error.
Chavan, in a moment of chagrin, acknowledged the mistake, attributing it to his long-standing allegiance to the Congress party. Regaining his composure, he remarked, "It's a slip of the tongue. This marks my inaugural day at the BJP headquarters, and I request you to excuse me," eliciting a chorus of chuckles from the audience.
Instead of joining BJP, Chavan should have met farmers hit by unseasonal rains: Uddhav
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray hit out at former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, saying that instead of joining the BJP, he should have met farmers from the Marathwada region who are reeling under the impact of unseasonal rains and hailstorms. He said Chavan was part of the seat-sharing talks of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) till two days back, but joined the BJP against whom he was supposed to fight.
"Today, both (BJP and Chavan) are scared. BJP is scared because it has made an announcement of clinching 400-plus (seats in the Lok Sabha polls). Today, those who are scared are joining the party, which is also scared," he claimed.
"I am sad that unseasonal rains and hailstorm have affected parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. Chavan, instead of going to BJP, must have visited the farmlands of farmers who have been affected by hailstorms and unseasonal rains," he said.
Adarsh scam that dogs Ashok Chavan found mention in White Paper tabled in Parliament
Ashok Chavan, the son of former CM Shankarrao Chavan, had stepped down as the chief minister in 2010 for his alleged involvement in Adarsh Housing scam in Mumbai.
He is an accused in the Adarsh Housing Society scam wherein a 31-storey posh building in south Mumbai was constructed allegedly on land owned by the Defence Ministry without getting the requisite permissions and clearances.
The backdrop of the Adarsh Housing Society scam mentioned in a white paper tabled in Parliament last week has drawn attention as a potential factor in Chavan's departure, a claim denied by him.
'It was a difficult decision for me... I have taken this decision in the interest of Maharashtra', says Ashok Chavan
Ashok Chavan responds to the allegations of betraying the Congress that, 'It was a difficult decision for me. It is a complete switchover and I had to deliberate a lot on this. I have taken this decision in the interest of Maharashtra, the interest of my district and in the interest of the nation. It was not a one day snap decision. This has taken time. The Congress party has given me a lot but this is also a fact that I have also given back substantially to the party.'
Ashok Chavan: High Court rules in favor, brushes off Adarsh scam allegations
'The High Court verdict on this issue has been in our favour. Some agencies have gone in appeal. Whatever is the legal process will get followed. It was a political accident. I have faced enough of this issue. I don't think it is a matter of concern now,' Ashok Chavan on the cases that have been filed on him in the Adarsh scam.
Fadnavis: Central leadership to decide BJP's Rajya Sabha nominee
"The Rajya Sabha nominations are decided by the Central leadership. You will get to know when the party leadership decides on a name" Fadnavis on whether Ashok Chavan will be the BJPs Rajya Sabha nominee from the state.
Ashok Chavan joining BJP not surprising: Sharad Pawar-led NCP
Former Congress veteran Ashok Chavan's decision to join the BJP did not come as a surprise to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP.
NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto lamented that influential leaders capable of resisting the BJP's influence are giving in to pressure and switching sides.
Chavan's involvement in the Adarsh housing society scam, which led to his resignation as Maharashtra chief minister in 2010, was cited as an example.
Crasto criticized such defections as detrimental to the opposition's ability to combat the ruling party. (PTI)
Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan joins the BJP at the party's office in Mumbai
Watch | CM Ashok Chavan arrived in BJP Headquarters in Mumbai
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut warns Ashok Chavan
Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena ( UBT) MP warns Ashok Chavan's decision to join BJP dangerous for him. The BJP has lost its originality ...it is importing all Congress leaders.
Senior Congress leaders arrive to meet Sharad Pawar
Ramesh Chennithala, AICC in-charge for Maharashtra Congress, Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, senior leaders Satej Patil, Vishwajeet Kadam arrive to meet NCP (SP) Sharad Pawar.
Ashok Chavan leaves from his residence to BJP office
Sharad Pawar moves SC challenging EC order recognising Ajit Pawar-led faction as real NCP
Veteran leader Sharad Pawar has moved the Supreme Court challenging an Election Commission order recognising the party led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as the real Nationalist Congress Party.
The plea was filed by Pawar senior in his personal capacity through lawyer Abhishek Jebaraj on Monday evening.
Prior to him, the Ajit Pawar faction had filed a caveat through advocate Abhikalp Pratap Singh to ensure that no ex-parte order is passed in favour of the Sharad Pawar group if the latter moves the top court.
(PTI)
Watch| 'I am going to start a new journey of my political career' says Ashok Chavan
Ashok Chavan joins exit queue, Maharashtra Congress frets about central, state leadership
A HUSHED blame game has started in the Maharashtra Congress after the resignation of former chief minister Ashok Chavan from the party, close on the heels of two other leaders quitting the state unit.
At least two senior leaders said Monday that the high command had failed to address the concerns of party leaders like Chavan, and said there should be “instrospection” on why people were leaving.
However, others pointed to the twin threats hanging over the heads of many leaders – of probes by Central agencies, and of uncertainty about their own political futures. And that no amount of mollycoddling would have guaranteed their allegiance to the party. Continue reading
Rights of citizens enshrined in Constitution under attack: Sharad Pawar
Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, addressed an 'Elgar Parishad' gathering in Maharashtra, expressing concern over the attacks on democratic principles and the Constitution.
He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks in Parliament as trivial and criticized the attacks on Jawaharlal Nehru and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Pawar argued that these attacks represent a broader assault on the foundational values of the nation.
He urged vigilance in defending the Constitution and emphasized the collective responsibility to uphold democracy and citizen rights. Pawar credited Dr. Ambedkar for shaping India's trajectory and warned against the erosion of fundamental rights.
He condemned assaults on farmers, marginalized communities, and journalists, cautioning against the dangers of privatization in education. (PTI)
Will be disrespectful to soldiers if BJP gives Rajya Sabha berth to Ashok Chavan: Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray criticized former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan over the Adarsh housing scam, suggesting it's disrespectful to martyred soldiers if BJP sends Chavan to Rajya Sabha.
Chavan resigned from Congress amidst rumors of joining BJP but denied any decision.
Thackeray accused PM Modi and Devendra Fadnavis of previously condemning Chavan and questioned if they'll send him to Rajya Sabha despite allegations.
Chavan denies involvement in the Adarsh scam where a posh building was allegedly constructed illegally on Defence Ministry land. He faces charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating.
Thackeray also urged for the implementation of M S Swaminathan's agriculture recommendations, criticizing BJP for favoring Gujarat in investments and creating divisions within the country. (PTI)
Mumbai News Live Updates: Former CM Ashok Chavan to join BJP today
Ashok Chavan to join BJP today at 12 PM at BJP office in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
As Ashok Chavan quits Congress, party senior leaders to huddle today
AICC in-charge for Maharashtra Congress, Ramesh Chennithala, has called an urgent meeting of all senior party leaders in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon. The party fears that a few more MLAs will join Chavan — four-five names are already doing the rounds. Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan quit the party on Monday and resigned as MLA too. He said his next political move after quitting the Congress will be decided in two to three days, but denied any decision to join the BJP.
From Cong-Mukt-Bharat, it is now Cong-occupied-BJP: Uddhav after Chavan quits
Taking a dig at the BJP after Congress leader Ashok Chavan resigned from the party, Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said that BJP has inducted so many Congress leaders in its party that soon the BJP party president will be some former Congress leader.
The BJP had initially raised the slogan of Congress Mukta Bharat, but that could not happen. Now the party has appropriated so many leaders from Congress, that just like Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(PoK) it has become Congress occupied BJP. With so many Congress leaders in BJP, in some years the BJP president is sure to be some former Congress leader,” Uddhav said.
Uddhav also said that Chavan has made a mistake, and he will be labelled a traitor. Read Here
Ex-MLC resigns from Congress in support of Ashok Chavan
Former MLC Amarnath Rajurkar, a supporter of Ashok Chavan, has resigned from Maharashtra Congress. "I have resigned from all posts, including the group leader of Congress in the Legislative Council, vice president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, and Nanded district Congress president," Rajurkar told reporters. He met Ashok Chavan in Mumbai.
Meetings of Congress leaders, MLAs to be held from Feb 13-15
AICC in-charge for Maharashtra Ramesh Chennithala has called an urgent meeting of all senior party leaders in Mumbai on Tuesday at 2 pm. Meanwhile, the party has also called MLAs to Mumbai on February 14 and 15 ahead of the last day of filing nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections.
Maha Cong chief rushes to Delhi
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole rushed to Delhi, hours after Ashok Chavan's announcement of resigning from the Congress.
As Prithviraj Chavan says Ashok Chavan's exit 'unfortunate', another leader blames leaderhship's behaviour
Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan called Ashok Chavan's decision to quit the Congress "very unfortunate". Party MLA Praniti Shinde blamed pressure, blackmail and threats of ED raids for the exit.
On the other hand, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam blamed the behaviour of senior party leaders as the reason behind Ashok Chavan's departure. "Ashok Chavan was definitely an asset to the party. Some are calling him a liability, some are holding ED responsible, all these are knee jerk reactions. In reality, he was troubled by the behaviour of one particular senior Congress leader from Maharashtra. He had at various times given information about this to the party's senior leadership. If his complaints were taken seriously, this moment would not have come. Ashok Chavan is resourceful, a skilled organizer, a man with mass following and a serious leader. When the Bharat Jodo Yatra was held for five days in Nanded last year, the entire leadership witnessed his capabilities. Him quitting the Congress is a big loss. No one will be able to compensate for it. It was our responsibility to take care of him," he said.
Time to explore options, next move will be decided in 2-3 days: Ashok Chavan
Former Congress leader Ashok Chavan said his next political move will be decided in two to three days, but denied any decision to join the BJP. "I have been in the Congress since my birth. I worked for the party honestly till yesterday. But now I feel it is time to explore other options," he said.
BJP will pay heavy price for breaking parties: VBA's Prakash Ambedkar
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president Prakash Ambedkar said the BJP will pay a heavy price for practicing the politics of tod-phod (breaking parties). "We have never seen such politics in the last seven decades. Elections were held once in five years. There would be campaigns and chaos. Everybody would make allegations. But once results were out, the politics took a backseat. There was a government for five years. Now, we see uncertainty and unprecedented politics in the state. The Marathi manoos does not endorse such politics," he said.
Not switching sides, confirms Maharashtra LoP Vijay Wadettiwar
Denying speculation that he too will switch sides, Maharashtra Leader of Opposition said he has no plans to quit the Congress.
"I have been working with Ashok Chavan from 2006 and was twice a minister in his cabinet. He has not discussed anything with me. We do not know the reason. But the manner in which BJP is breaking parties, people have not liked this and they will give befitting reply in this election," he said.
'Aage aage dekho hota hai kya': BJP reacts to Ashok Chavan's exit
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, in response to Ashok Chavan's Congress exit, said, " Aage aage dekho hota hain kya (Let's see what unfolds)."
Meanwhile, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, " Ashok Chavan's resignation is outcome of the in-house Congress tussle. The BJP has no role. But if anybody wants to accept PM Narendra Modi's leadership and participate in development of Maharashtra and India, we will welcome them."
Recalling the earlier exits of Baba Siddique and Milind Deora, Bawankule said there are many more Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leaders who are keen to associate with the BJP.
Congress leaders react to Ashok Chavan's exit
Maharashtra Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said, "It is the Adarsh turn for the party with difference. The people will give a befitting reply to the BJP is upcoming elections."
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh clarified that he is not leaving the party.
Will Chavan also stake claim on Congress, get party symbol?: Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut expressed shock over Ashok Chavan's exit from the Congress. "It is hard to believe that Ashok Chavan has joined the BJP. He was with us till yesterday and was holding discussions. Like Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, will Chavan also stake claim on the Congress now and get the party symbol. Moreover, will the EC hand the symbol to him. In our country, anything can happen," he said.
Betrayer's exit opens opportunities for those whose growth was stunted: Jairam Ramesh
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh without naming Ashok Chavan said that an exit by betrayers "opens up vast new opportunities to those whose growth they have always stunted".
Another jolt to Congress this month: Baba Siddique's exit
After quitting the Congress last week, the party's Muslim face in Mumbai Baba Siddiquie joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party. Siddique said he had consulted his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique and former Congress MP Priya Dutt before crossing over to the NCP.
After joining hands with Ajit Pawar, he said, "Congress does politics of perception, they want our votes but don't want to give anything."
He told ANI, "Now, it is done. 'Ab kya rona, jab chidiya chug gayi khet' (what is the use of crying over spilled milk). When you are not being listened to, you should move to the side...I have a lot to say, but someone should answer. I am sad but happy too. I am sad because as I was with Congress for 48 years and I am not thick-skinned. My condition in the Congress was how curry leaves are used to enhance the taste of food. I was treated like that in the Congress Party."
Chavan's exit comes month after Milind Deora's switch to ruling side
Two-time Mahareshtra chief minister Ashok Chavan's departure from the Maharashtra Congress is only among a series of setbacks to the party's state unit in the recent past.
Only a month ago, former MP Milind Deora quit the party for not giving “importance to merit” and “abusing industrialists and businessmen”, and joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Deora said, “I believe in the politics of GAIN, which is growth, aspiration, inclusivity and nationalism, and not in the politics of PAIN, or personal attacks, injustice and negativity.”
Here is what he said in an interview with The Indian Express
Ex-Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan quits Congress, likely to join BJP
Amid increasing murmurs in the past about his plan to jump ship and join the BJP, former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan on Monday resigned from the Congress.
In a terse resignation letter sent to State Congress president Nana Patole, Chavan said, “I am resigning from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress from the afternoon of February 12”.
Speculations about Ashok Chavan quitting the Congress party had been doing the rounds since 2022 when he along with seven other Congress MLAs were late during the trust vote against the Eknath Shinde government in July that year and could not enter the Assembly hall for voting.
However, Chavan had never denied the reports and said no such move on his part was on the cards.
This comes as another setback to the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election after former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique joined Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s NCP last Saturday, leaving the Congress after 48 years. Siddique had resigned from the party on Thursday.
Read more.
Just In
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who quit the Indian National Congress (INC) party on Monday afternoon and will be joining the Shinde led Sena-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) alliance in the state is likely get a ticket from the BJP to contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
Ashok Chavan quits Congress; to join ruling alliance led by BJP
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan resigned from the Indian National Congress (INC) on Monday. According to sources, Chavan will be joining the ruling Shinde-led Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in the state.
Reacting to the developments, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Congress leaders are suffocated within the party and the BJP anticipates more Congress leaders to join them in the coming days.
With excess rain, disease spoiling fruits of their labour, Maharashtra farmers are giving up on pomegranate cultivation
“It just wasn’t making sense.”
This is how Vishal Misal, a farmer from Chinke village in Maharashtra’s Solapur, summed up his decision to uproot his 5-acre pomegranate orchard so he could switch to other crops.
Stating that he now grows guava on over 2.5 acres, while the rest is reserved for seasonal crops, he said, “With unseasonal rains and overcast skies becoming more common now, many other pomegranate cultivators too have now switched to other crops.”
The Sangola taluka-based farmer, who had been growing pomegranates since 2005, decided to give up the cash crop in 2019-2020 due to mounting losses. “Pomegranate was the most lucrative crop in our area, but unseasonal rain, mainly in December, would result in fungal and bacterial diseases in the entire orchard. The cost of production rose even as yields dipped by 50 per cent — from 8 tonnes to just 4 tonnes per acre. This drop did not even cover the cost of production,” Misal said.
Reports Partha Sarathi Biswas.
Dy CM Fadnavis reacts to Ashok Chavan joining BJP; says Cong leaders suffocated with party
'A lot of good leaders from the Congress are in touch with the BJP. The way the Congress party is functioning these days a lot of the party's leaders with a mass base are feeling suffocated,' said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reacting to Ashok Chavan allegedly joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He added, 'A lot of these leaders are interested in joining the BJP. Definitely a few big leaders will join the BJP in the coming days. I only want to say one thing today. Aage aage dekhiye hota hai kya.'
Just In
Strong buzz of Ashok Chavan jumping ship. His supporters in Nanded have been asked to arrive in Mumbai.
Uddhav to visit Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, interact with public and party workers
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray will visit Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district on Monday and interact with the local residents and his party workers, a Sena (UBT) leader said.
During the one-day tour, former state chief minister Thackeray will visit the rural constituencies of Gangapur, Vaijapur and Kannad.
In the evening, Thackeray will address the people at the TV Centre Ground in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, the leader said.
Notably, Vaijapur MLA Ramesh Bornare and legislators Sanjay Shirsat and Pradip Jaiswal from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city had earlier joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In the 2019 state assembly polls, the Shiv Sena (then undivided) and its then ally BJP contested nine assembly seats in the district.
The Shiv Sena then won six seats, while the BJP bagged three seats.
(PTI report)
House helps sedate Mumbai family members, steal jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh
Two young men, working as house helps of a family in Mumbai’s Khar, allegedly stole jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh after mixing sedatives in the food of three relatives of their employer and a maid.
The Khar police on Sunday registered an FIR against the two and are looking for them.
Raja Yadav, alias Niraj, 19, and Shatrughan Kumar, alias Raju, 19, had been working as servants at the house of Sunita Vijay Zaveri for the past month and ten days, respectively. Zaveri, 53, lives with her 19-year-old daughter at 14th Road, Khar (West). Her husband, a jeweller, passed away in November 2023 due to prolonged illness.
Yadav and Kumar were employed by Zaveri on the recommendation of her former driver, Santosh Roy.
Read more.
Mumbai confidential: Posing Questions
The Election Commission of India is sending one of its senior officers to Maharashtra to conduct a meeting with the State Election Commission and Maharashtra’s chief secretary.
The move follows non-cooperation from a key municipal corporation in the state regarding deployment of its staff on election duty.
It is the first time that Election Commission of India is facing such a situation and the official visiting Maharashtra is set to pose some tough questions and seek answers from the state administration.
Read full story.
Mercury dips to 160C, IMD says next few days to be pleasant
On Sunday, citizens woke up to a pleasant nip in the air as mercury levels dipped to 16.7 degrees Celsius, which is the lowest for February in the season. Attributing the dip to the influx of northerly winds, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that the minimum temperatures will continue to hover between 17 and 18 degrees Celsius for the next three days at least.
IMD’s Santacruz observatory, on Sunday, registered a minimum temperature of 16.7 degrees Celsius, which is one degree below the normal. The Colaba coastal observatory, meanwhile, recorded 18.8 degree Celsius.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Sunil Kamble, director of IMD Mumbai, said, “Currently, strong northerly winds have made Mumbai cooler. There are no western disturbances (WD) currently owing to which strong northerlies are gushing in. However, we are expecting another WD around February 15, so the temperatures can rise following that.” Kamble said, “For the next 2-3 days, however, minimum temperatures will remain about 17 to 18 degrees Celsius.”
Continue reading.
SC to hear Sena UBT plea against Mah speaker declaring Shinde faction ‘real political party’
The Supreme Court (SC) will be hearing on Monday Shiv Sena (UBT) faction’s plea filed against the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar’s decision recognising Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction as the real Shiv Sena and rejecting petitions seeking disqualification of MLAs of the faction.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) plea said the Speaker’s order is patently unlawful and perverse in nature, and sought a provisional stay on it.
The plea sought interim relief to restrain the Shinde faction whip or any other leader from issuing any directions to the group of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs to avoid being forced to follow Bharat Gogawale, whom the Speaker recognised as the chief whip, or any other leader from the ruling Sena faction.
Right-wing group objects to screening of film at NFAI, says it showed Indian Army in bad light
Members of a right-wing organisation barged into the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) premises in Maharashtra's Pune city objecting to the screening of a docudrama, claiming it showed the Indian Army in a bad light, a police official said.
The incident took place on Sunday when the docudrama, titled 'I Am Not The River Jhelum', was being screened as part of ‘A Festival of Contemporary Indian Films' organised by the Pune International Centre and the International Federation of Film Critics-India Chapter.
Shouting slogans, the protesters demanded the screening be stopped, the official said.
The protesters, belonging to Samast Hindu Bandhav Sanghatana, were detained and released after being issued notices under the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, the official said.
Ravindra Padwal, president of the right-wing organisation, said they objected to the film after learning that some of the scenes in it showed the Indian Army in Kashmir in a bad light.
“Some people who were in the audience informed us about such a portrayal of the Army in the film. By the time we reached there, the movie was about to get over. We objected to the scenes and raised slogans in support of the Army,” said Padwal.
He said they demanded the director show them the docudrama and explain his side. When they were discussing the matter with the organisers, the police came and took them to a police station, said Padwal.
“Even if people follow a certain ideology, be it progressive or regressive, they should be proud of the Indian Army. If the director has projected the Indian Army in a bad light, it amounts to sedition and an offence should be registered against him,” he said.
The festival was held from February 9 to 11, during which many award-winning films in Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Manipuri-Tangkhul, Rajasthani-Hindi, and Khasi-Jaintia-Garo-Hindi were screened, said the organisers.
(PTI report)
Weather today
Mumbai is expected to witness clear skies throughout Sunday, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast. While temperatures will soar to a maximum of 31 degrees celsius, the mercury will drop to 18 degrees celsius.
Good morning!
Welcome to the Mumbai Live Blog. Stay with us on this space as we bring you live news updates from Maharashtra!