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Tuesday,22-July-2025
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Maharashtra

Post-SC verdict, ‘reluctant CM’ Thackeray quits top post, MLC seat

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3 years ago

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On expected lines, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray late on Wednesday quit his post and also as Member of Legislative Council – 9 days after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was reduced to a minority with an unprecedented rebellion by the Shiv Sena legislators.

With this the two-and-half year old, three-party Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress government experiment has collapsed, barely hours after Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari ordered a floor test late on Tuesday night.

Thackeray announced his resignation – “I am quitting the post of CM” – in a public address to the people of the state on social media, in his familiar, cool, composed, father-figure style as he did regularly in the past two-and-half years.

“With your blessings and cooperation, I could manage it till now… I especially wish to thank Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, and both the parties for extending their cooperation,” he said.

Thackeray also acknowledged how the NCP-Congress ministers on Wednesday immediately agreed to the renaming proposals of Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv, though conceding it was a much-delayed decision.

Touching briefly on his short-lived 31-month-long tenure and the 56-year-old party legacy that he carries forward, Thackeray recalled how many ordinary workers, autorickshaw drivers, paanwalas, etc, grew in the party, became corporators to ministers and became very big.

“Now those same people are ‘naaraz’ (disgruntled) and those who did not get anything are still loyal and stand strongly with Shiv Sena,” he rued.

“I invited them (the rebels) several times to come and meet me and discuss their issues… whether they have problems with me, the Shiv Sena, the NCP, Congress or anything else… but there was no response,” he noted with a tinge of sadness.

Thackeray said that those who became big on the strength of the Sena and Balasaheb Thackeray, if they believe that by topping his son, they will get “punya” (grace), let them have it.

“I was a reluctant CM.. The circumstances under which I came to the post is well known.. I am not hankering for any post. Before you, I hereby quit my post as CM.. I only need your love and affection,” said CM, who had vacated the official quarters, ‘Varsha’ bungalow last week, hours after the rebellion erupted in full force.

Adding that he did not want the drama of any floor test or such politics, Thackeray also said he was quitting as Member of Legislative Council.

Taking a swipe, Thackeray said the Governor upheld democracy by acting on the Opposition’s letter to order the floor test within 24 hours, and wished he (Governor) had done the same with the MVA’s proposal to nominate 12 MLCs, now pending since November 2020 with Raj Bhavan.

Moments later, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leaders including state President Chandrakant Patil, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and others celebrated the CM’s announcement with cheers and distributed sweets.

Several rebel MLAs welcomed the developments and said the state will now be on the path of progress under the leadership of prospective CM Fadnavis.

Now, the floor shifts back to the BJP and Raj Bhavan where the formalities of the new prospective new government shall crystallise.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Ola, Uber Strike To Resume On Wednesday Noon As Cab Drivers’ Demands Remain Unaddressed

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1 hour ago

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July 22, 2025

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Mumbai: The Ola and Uber driver strike in Mumbai, suspended until Tuesday, is set to resume on Wednesday if the Maharashtra government fails to address their demands.

The strike was initially called off on Saturday, allowing the government to respond to issues like fare rationalisation, the establishment of a welfare board for drivers, and restrictions on new permits. The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch confirmed that the strike is merely suspended and will restart if demands remain unmet.

Key driver demands include:

Drivers advocate for fare alignment with traditional taxis.

A financial and legal support board for app-based cab drivers is requested.

There’s a push to limit new cab and auto-rickshaw permit issuance.

Protections under the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act for taxi workers are sought.

A review of aggregator platform operations regarding surge pricing and driver ID blocking is desired.

If unresolved by the deadline, drivers plan an escalated protest on Wednesday. According to a report, passengers have been asked to de-board in various locations across Mumbai due to the impending strike. A cab driver from Navi Mumbai highlighted their demand for a fixed rate per kilometre, contrasting current inconsistent rates with a previously established government-fixed rate of Rs 32 per km for AC taxis.

Cab unions have discussed these concerns with Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who has promised a solution within 15 days. Nevertheless, drivers remain skeptical, recalling previous unfulfilled promises. Sarnaik acknowledged the reasonableness of the demands and assured adjustments in policy would be made.

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Maharashtra

2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Case: Maharashtra Govt Moves SC Challenging HC Verdict Acquitting 12 Accused

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4 hours ago

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July 22, 2025

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The Maharashtra government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court’s recent decision to acquit all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. The High Court, in a detailed judgment, overturned the 2015 convictions handed down by a special MCOCA court, which had sentenced five of the accused to death and seven to life imprisonment.

Citing serious lapses in the prosecution’s case—including unreliable witness testimonies, questionable identification procedures, and lack of forensic evidence—the court stated that the guilt of the accused was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. In response, the state government has filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court, arguing that the acquittal undermines efforts to combat terrorism and seeking to have the convictions reinstated.

The case, which stems from coordinated bombings on Mumbai’s suburban rail network that killed over 180 people and injured more than 700, is now poised for further legal scrutiny at the national level.

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Crime

Mumbai Airport Customs Seize 7.318 Kg Of Hydroponic Weed & 99 Bottles Of Codeine Syrup Across 4 Cases

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5 hours ago

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July 22, 2025

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Mumbai: During the period 15th-20th July, the officers at Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs, Zone-III, made a remarkable seizure of suspected NDPS (hydroponic weed) weighing 7.318 kg and 99 bottles of 100ml each cough syrup containing codeine phosphate across 04 cases. 04 persons were Arrested. 

Highlights of the case: 

(14/15.07.2025) 

Case 1. On the basis of profiling, Customs officers at CSMI Airport , Mumbai Customs, Zone – III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and recovered 610 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the trolley bag carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(15/16.07.2025) 

Case 2. On the basis of profiling, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and Recovered 5256 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the check-in baggage carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(16/17.07.2025) 

Case 3. On the basis of Specific Intel, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and Recovered 1452 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the trolley bag carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(19/20.07.2025) 

Case 4. On the basis of information received, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger departing from Mumbai to Riyadh and recovered 99 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine phosphate as its constituent. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the check-in baggage carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

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