Maharashtra
6 rebel MPs struck late-night financial settlement over Cabinet berths: Sanjay Raut
Mumbai, June 19: On the historic occasion of Shiv Sena’s 60th foundation day, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena has been rocked by a massive crisis. A day after six Lok Sabha MPs triggered a second major split in the party within four years, moving to align themselves with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Friday launched a scathing attack on the dissident lawmakers, claiming that a late-night financial settlement had to be engineered to pacify them over a dispute regarding Cabinet berths.
“They stood in the market to sell themselves,” he said.
Refusing to term the exit a legitimate political split, Raut stated that the rebel MPs had simply auctioned their loyalty. “I do not consider this a split. A person leaves when they are bound to an ideology. When someone stands in the market to sell themselves and someone buys them, it is called trading, not a split. Our six people stood in the market two days ago, put a price tag on themselves, and were bought over. They haven’t left because of some great revolutionary thought,” he said.
He heavily targeted the rebel MPs—Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Omprakash Rajenimbalkar—who skipped a crucial parliamentary meeting in Delhi despite a strict three-line party whip.
Explaining why the six MPs have not yet returned to Mumbai, Raut alleged that internal fighting broke out over who would get a ministerial berth in the Union government.
According to Raut, a compromise was reached in the dead of night to resolve the chaos. To pacify the remaining five disgruntled MPs, an additional payout of Rs 25 crore each has been promised over the next year on the condition that they do not create a public scene, he claimed. “They are currently hiding in holes under heavy police protection,” Raut alleged.
“If you haven’t committed a crime or a sin, why do you need an entire police fleet? Is Maharashtra’s Home Department only meant to protect traitors while crimes against women rise?”
The political heat extended to the alliance partners as well. Raut took a swipe at a senior BJP leader, mockingly referring to him as the “Jamner chi Mavshi” (the aunt from Jamner, an apparent dig at BJP leader and Maharashtra water resources minister Girish Mahajan) for claiming that the MPs left because Uddhav Thackeray associated with the Congress.
“These BJP leaders act like the Mavshi (supporting character) in a Tamasha (folk theater). When these six MPs won their elections, it was with the help of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Congress workers. Didn’t you know Congress was part of the alliance then? Why this sudden hatred for the Congress?” Raut questioned, challenging the BJP’s nationalist credentials by asking if any of their leaders had sacrificed their lives for India’s Independence.
Raut further threatened that if enforcement agencies like the ED and CBI were neutralised for just half an hour, “the BJP in Maharashtra would break into seven pieces,” with Girish Mahajan being the first to desert.
With both the Thackeray and Shinde factions hosting separate high-decibel events for the Shiv Sena Foundation Day, the Thackeray camp has already initiated disciplinary actions, serving show-cause notices to the six absent MPs to cancel their parliamentary memberships.
Daring the rebels to face the electorate honestly, Raut concluded, “If you have even an ounce of shame left, resign from your MP posts. You won on our party symbol because Uddhav Thackeray and ordinary party workers spilled their sweat and blood for you. You took false oaths in the name of your parents, Sai Baba, and Goddess Bhavani—now show some courage, resign, and face the public openly.”
Maharashtra
Construction work on the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road targeted for completion by December 2028; Additional Municipal Commissioner inspects the site.

To alleviate traffic congestion and ensure smooth, convenient travel within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a major infrastructure project known as the ‘Mumbai Coastal Road (North).’ Spanning approximately 60 kilometers—including interchanges and link roads—this mega-project aims to connect the Versova and Bhayandar areas via a coastal route. The construction work has been divided into seven packages: Packages A, B, C, D, E, F, and the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road (DBLR). Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar visited and inspected the Bhayandar interchange site (part of the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road/Package 7), located within the limits of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, and issued necessary instructions during the visit.
The Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road is a crucial project for the Mumbai and Mira-Bhayandar regions, and construction is currently underway. It will establish a direct and rapid road connection between Dahisar West and Bhayandar West. The total length of this road project is approximately 5.135 kilometers. The project encompasses various engineering structures, including elevated roads, roads on stilts through mangrove areas, high-level structures over creeks, elevated corridors over salt pan lands, connecting roads and interchanges for traffic distribution, and flyovers. The main elevated road of the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road project—spanning approximately 3.83 km in length and 45 meters in width—will serve as the final leg of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North). Mr. Bangar visited the site and reviewed the preliminary works. Currently, the installation of gabion walls is underway; additionally, piling (deep foundation) and the construction of pile caps are progressing. Several components of the project have already been completed, including 60 piles, 5 pile caps, 4 bridge piers, pier caps, and the ninth section of the bridge. State-of-the-art machinery is deployed at the site, and a temporary bridge system is operational for access. Work related to the ‘launching girder’ is scheduled to commence in the second week of October; Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar reviewed detailed information regarding this. Bangar issued instructions to expedite the land acquisition process required for the project and to prepare a priority list in this regard. He emphasized the need to secure cooperation from the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation and other relevant authorities. He also directed that safety-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) be strictly adhered to, adequate barricading be installed at the site during construction, and the work be completed to high standards within the stipulated timeframe. He instructed that planning and execution be carried out with the aim of completing the project by December 2028. Deputy Commissioner (Infrastructure) Shri Girish Nikam and Deputy Chief Engineer (Mumbai Coastal Road – North) Vaibhav Gandhi were present on the occasion, accompanied by the concerned engineers and consultants.
Maharashtra
Gutkha and scented betel nut worth approximately ₹1.18 crore seized in Mumbai; 9 arrested.

Mumbai: Authorities have claimed the seizure of banned gutkha worth ₹1.18 crore within the jurisdiction of the Bhandup Police Station. Acting on a tip-off regarding the transportation and sale of banned gutkha and scented betel nut, the Senior Police Inspector of Bhandup Police Station dispatched Assistant Police Inspector Vinod Lad and his team to verify the information and take action. Based on the intelligence received, the team laid a trap and conducted a raid on September 12 at approximately 4:25 AM at the Municipal Corporation parking area on Village Road, Nahur. During the operation, they seized five vehicles—comprising one container truck, two tempos, one Bolero, and one pickup truck—and arrested a total of nine individuals. The seized contraband included banned scented betel nut products (such as ‘Varanasi Aashiq’ scented betel nut and scented tobacco) valued at ₹20,21,100, along with five motor vehicles from various companies valued at ₹98 lakh; the total value of the seized property amounts to ₹1,18,21,100. The five vehicles, the nine accused, and the contraband have been taken into custody, and proceedings to register a formal case at the Bhandup Police Station are currently underway. This successful and noteworthy operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Sharma (Law and Order), Additional Commissioner of Police Dhananjay Kulkarni (East Region), Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhay Singh Deshmukh (Zone 3), and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ajay Joshi (Bhandup Division), by a team comprising Senior Police Inspector Sapna Khirsagar, Assistant Police Inspector Vinod Lad, Police Havaldars Hiralal Charande, Akesh Tirmare, and Ganesh Sonone, and Police Constables Vikas Shinde and Vijaykumar Pawar.
Maharashtra
Accused involved in smuggling “MD” and “MDMA Plus” drugs arrested in Mumbai.

The Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has claimed the arrest of a drug dealer involved in MD smuggling, charging him under Sections 8(c) and 22(c) of the NDPS Act. The accused was apprehended in Jogeshwari after being spotted under suspicious circumstances. The following items were seized from his possession:
1) Three MDMA pills weighing a total of 2.04 grams (estimated value: ₹88,000)
2) MD (Mephedrone) weighing a total of 417 grams (estimated value: ₹1,25,10,000)
3) Fifty Indian currency notes of ₹500 denomination (total cash: ₹25,000)
4) One used Apple iPhone 15 (estimated value: ₹20,000)
*The total estimated value of the seized items is ₹1,26,43,000. On September 11, the Azad Maidan Unit of the ANC (Crime Branch) was patrolling the Jogeshwari area when they received credible information that an individual was selling drugs from his residence. Acting on this tip-off, the ANC team raided the suspect’s home and recovered the aforementioned contraband. Case property recovered during the personal search of the said individual: 1) Three “MDMA tablets” weighing a total of 2.04 grams (estimated value: Rs. 88,000); 2) “MD” drug weighing 210 grams (estimated value: Rs. 6,300,000); 3) One used Apple iPhone 15 (estimated value: Rs. 20,000). Case property recovered during the search of the said individual’s residence: 4) “MD” drug weighing 207 grams (estimated value: Rs. 6,210,000); 5) Fifty Indian currency notes of Rs. 500 denomination (total cash: Rs. 25,000). The total estimated value of the recovered case property is Rs. 12,643,000. The ANC squad (Azad Maidan Unit) has arrested the said individual and registered a case (Case No. 85/2026) under Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the NDPS Act, 1985. This successful operation was carried out by Deven Bharti (Police Commissioner, Mumbai), Anil Kumbhare (Joint Commissioner of Police – Crime), Krishnakant Upadhyay (Additional Commissioner of Police – Crime), and Poornima Chougule-Shringi (Deputy Commissioner of Police, ANC Squad, Crime Branch).
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