Mumbai this week: Raj Thackeray blames Uddhav for split; MVA takes up fight against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification

In response, Uddhav said that the structure has been under construction for a long time, but Raj just “read out the script as it came to him“. A day later, the administration swung into action by launching a demolition drive.

The message from the MNS rally was clear: the party was keen on pursuing an independent path, without allies, writes Shubhangi Khapre.

Here are the other news highlights from the past week (March 20-26):

Congress’ fight against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification reaches Maharashtra

Opposition party leaders including NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray criticised the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as a Lok Sabha MP, stating that it was against the basic tenets of the Constitution. On the other hand, Mumbai BJP held protests against Rahul Gandhi in all the six Lok Sabha constituencies in the city and demanded an apology from him for insulting the Prime Minister and the OBC community. Here is why regional parties in Maharashtra make Rahul Gandhi disqualification cause for their fight against BJP

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Press Club called for an apology by Rahul Gandhi for the “public humiliation” of a journalist by him at a press conference at his party office earlier that day.

Amruta Fadnavis extortion case: Aniksha, Anil Jaisinghani sent to custody

Bookie Anil Jaisinghani and designer Aniksha Jaisinghani were arrested in a case related to an attempt to bribe and extort Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta Fadnavis. A court sent her to judicial custody on Friday and will on March 27 hear her application seeking release on bail. Meanwhile, Anil Jaisinghani, who was sent to police custody till March 27, has approached the Bombay High Court challenging his arrest in the case. From Shirdi to Vadodara to Godhra, here is how Mumbai Police chased Anil before he was arrested

Other important news of the week:

1. Maharashtra farming crisis far from over as untimely rains with hailstorms loom
2. Vijay Mallya was acquiring assets abroad before he fled: CBI
3. ‘Regret killing teen’: Man held for killing 3 neighbours to court
4. Four tiger cubs born in Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park after 13 years
5. BMC razes 267 slums inside Mahim Fort
6. QS World University Rankings: IIT Bombay ranks first in country in Engineering and Technology
7. Why redevelopment project given to Adani group despite financial condition after Hindenburg: Dharavi MLA
8. Mumbai sees wettest March day since IMD started recording rainfall in 1944
9. No TISS nod for external speakers, Aishe Ghosh & Mander deliver online lectures
10. CAG report finds major systemic problems, careless use of funds in BMC

Photo of the week

A procession was taken out in Girgaon to celebrate Gudi Padwa or Maharashtrian new year. (Express photo by Pradip Das)

News to watch out for next week

1. BJP MLAs and leaders to hold meetings across its constituencies against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement on “Modi surname”.
2. BMC may final its contractors for the ambitious Dahisar-Mira Road link road, which will be the final phase of the Coastal Road Project.
3. The designated panel to formulate solutions for dust pollution in Mumbai may submit their report this week.
4. Bombay HC likely to hear writ plea by bookie Anil Jaisinghani and his cousin Nirmal, who have been accused in a case related to the alleged extortion of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s wife Amruta Fadnavis The plea seeks to quash FIR against them terming their arrests “illegal” and interim release from custody.
5. Sessions court will hear bail plea by Aniksha Jaisinghani, accused in a case related to the alleged extortion of Amruta Fadnavis. The court on Friday sent Aniksha to judicial custody for fourteen days.
6. HC to hear plea by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Anil Parab in connection seeking quashing of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case linked to the Sai Resort in Dapoli.
7. Bombay HC to hear NCP leader Nawab Malik’s plea challenging the November 30, 2022 special court order that rejected his bail plea in money laundering case registered by Enforcement Directorate (ED).

News from Mumbai: March 13-19

News from Mumbai: March 6-12

News from Mumbai: February 27 – March 5

News from Mumbai: February 20 – 26

News from Mumbai: February 13 – 19

News from Mumbai: February 6 – 12

News from Mumbai: January 30 – February 5

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