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Maharashtra

After ruling state for 52 years, Congress struggles to recapture Maharashtra

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3 years ago

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One of the few states that was once considered a Congress stronghold, Maharashtra slipped out of the Congress grip first in 1995 and then in 2014, and the party now struggles to make a comeback fighting all odds, within and outside.

The Congress has ruled the prosperous west Indian state for 52 years since it was founded on May 1, 1960 — either solo, or through alliances, or via one or the other breakaway factions.

It was in 1995 that the sun first set on the party and the first real non-Congress government of Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance came to power and governed a full term.

The Congress bounced back in the 1999 Assembly elections, with a reduced majority, formed an alliance with the breakaway Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-1999), and they ruled for 15 years.

During the BJP wave unleashed by Narendra Modi, who became the Prime Minister in 2014, the Congress-NCP government was also washed away.

After five years, in 2019, it rebounded as an ally in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comprising Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress, which was toppled after two-and-a-half years, while the party grappled with severe ‘leakages’ at various levels.

“The problems largely started around a decade ago when the BJP took recourse to caste-communal politics, subverting institutions, false narratives, raising irrelevant matters while ignoring the real and burning problems of the economy, inflation, unemployment, farmers, women, youth, etc,” said Congress working President Naseem Khan.

He argued that now the people have realised the hollow claims of the Modi regime and are gradually veering around to clean, ethical, values and issue-based politics that Congress represents.

Khan denies that the state Congress is crumbling and pointed to its growing influence in the past few years at local, state and national levels, indicating how its mass support base remains largely intact.

A former four-time Congress MP feels that the state unit is plagued by infighting — as in other states or even at the national level — for which it had to pay dearly in 2014, and joining the MVA in 2019 was a ‘compromise’ to keep the BJP at bay.

“Many state leaders remain busy on social media, give lousy TV bytes or issue bland statements that are ignored� Instead, they must go for ‘mass-connect’, reach out to understand people’s grievances, open channels with other like-minded parties, take up public-oriented campaigns etc., since modern-day politics is very different from the pre-2000 era,” he said, requesting anonymity.

A present state office-bearer confided how the current AICC Maharashtra in-charge, S.K. Patil, is reportedly adapting “a lackadaisical approach, barely communicates in Hindi or rarely goes beyond Mumbai, cutting himself off from the ‘actual ground problems’ afflicting the party organisation”.

“Earlier, some of the AICC in-charges (like Mallikarjun Kharge) could even communicate in Marathi, would crack the whip during crises, tour different parts of the state, interact with district-level workers, and keep their fingers on the pulse of the party and the people,” he pointed out.

Mumbai Congress North Indian Cell Vice-President V.P. Singh feels many ‘inefficient or disinterested’ persons have been foisted both in the party at various levels, affecting the party workers’ morale and creating more rifts that are exploited by the opponents, citing various examples.

“What we need is to rebuild the party at the booth level with committed activists who will strengthen the district, the state and the national-level organisation. This aspect has been lost as many leaders prefer greenhorn sycophants over experienced performers with mass outreach,” rued Singh.

Khan confidently asserted that the Congress is readying for the Assembly polls, whenever they are held, and is optimistic of regaining its numero uno status soon, both in the Assembly and Parliamentary elections.

Fortunately, most leaders are buoyed by the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Congress Presidential elections, with a united chorus that it would do “a sea of good and invigorate the party from bottom to the top” for future challenges.

“The response to Rahulji across the BJY route is phenomenal and has ‘electrified’ the entire party. By the time it is completed, the Congress will re-emerge as a major force to reckon with in the 2024 elections� Already certain actions of the BJP betray their deep worries,” said Khan.

Several other party leaders at different levels echo similar sentiments, and strongly express the need “to rebuild the party on a war-footing”, opening party offices at the village levels (rural) or ward levels (urban), counter or expose the government policies at all levels, aggressively woo the media, and top national leaders should tour different states regularly for feedback.

In conclusion, notwithstanding the conviction by many leaders, the Congress in the state indeed faces a tough challenge to resurrect itself to its preeminent status — before it ‘leaks’ afresh�

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Maharashtra

Only Azan will be given from loudspeakers of mosques in Mumbai, construction worker Saumya’s mischief in Shivaji Nagar was an attempt to mislead Muslims: Abu Asim Azmi

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9 hours ago

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April 10, 2025

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Mumbai: In an important meeting of scholars of all ideologies on the loudspeaker controversy in Govind Shivaji Nagar, Mumbai, it was decided that the documents of mosques, schools and madrasas should be certified and along with this, police permission for loudspeakers should also be obtained without any restriction because communal elements, especially Crate Soumya, are trying to spoil the atmosphere of Mumbai city, so he is constantly targeting mosques, schools and madrasas.

Addressing this meeting, Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi said that Crate Soumya is suffering from mosques and Azan. He is promoting communalism to create hatred between Hindus and Muslims, so Muslims need to be careful with him. He said that the way the law was flouted near Maloni Mosque on Ram Navami, DJ was played. He said that today the Constitution is being flouted, so Muslims need to be patient and be ready to work strategically. He said that a meeting should be held with the BMC and Police Commissioner on this issue and they should be made aware of the situation. Along with this, a ban has also been demanded on these miscreants. He further said that the illegal visit of miscreants, especially Krit Soumya, should be stopped.

Former minister and Congress leader Arif Naseem Khan said that we need to correct the documents of mosques, schools and madrasas and respond to them legally. Arif Naseem Khan said that along with the legal documents of madrasas, it is also mandatory to obtain loudspeaker permits. He said that we need to work cautiously and not in passion because communal elements are constantly trying to bring Muslims on the streets and mislead them, but we have to respond to them legally. Arif Naseem Khan proposed that only Azan should be given on loudspeaker and the rest of the speeches should be given using the speakers installed inside the mosque, to which the scholars agreed.

In this meeting, a team of lawyers was formed which will try to sort out the papers and other legal problems of the mosques and then legal action will be taken in this regard. Abu Asim Azmi said that the miscreants have objection only to the loudspeakers of mosques. In this, Raj Thackeray, Krant Soumya, Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Nitish Rane are creating an atmosphere of hatred and are conspiring to lure Muslims and bring them on the streets so that the atmosphere gets spoiled. Muslims need to be vigilant, so my demand is that these hateful leaders should be completely banned and their tours should also be banned so that a peaceful atmosphere is maintained. In this meeting, Maulana Abdul Rahman Ziyai said that legal action has been taken regarding the objection to loudspeakers on mosques. Apart from this, Krant Soumya and other leaders are also targeting madrasas. Their documents are also being investigated, which is completely wrong. However, work is also being done on the authenticity of the documents of madrasas and other issues.

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Maharashtra

Sensational shootout in Chembur, search for accused continues, investigation continues to find out who plotted the shootout

Published

13 hours ago

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April 10, 2025

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Mumbai: A shooting incident on a construction company owner in Chembur Diamond Garden area of ​​Mumbai at 9:50 pm last night created a sensation. Three unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants attacked the builder with a lethal weapon, but Sadru survived the attack and has been admitted to a nearby hospital. The shootout took place when he was passing through Sinha Panvel Highway. Police are investigating who instigated the unidentified assailants to shoot at Sadru and who plotted the shooting. DCP Nunath Dhole said that the search for the assailants is on and a case has been registered after the shootout. Mumbai Police is investigating the case from every angle to find out if Sadru had any personal enmity or malice with anyone. A sketch of the assailants has also been prepared. Mumbai Crime Branch is also conducting a parallel investigation. A police team has been formed to search for the assailants, but no arrests have been made yet. Mumbai Police said that the attackers fled after the firing. Mumbai Police is investigating the CCTV footage as well as the direction in which the shooters fled. Along with searching for the accused, the police has also started gathering information in this regard from informers.

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Maharashtra

Threat to Kirit Somaiya… Demand for arrest of Yusuf Ansari within 48 hours, ultimatum to take action against loudspeakers and mosques

Published

15 hours ago

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April 10, 2025

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Mumbai: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has once again spread venom by demanding the removal of illegal mosque and loudspeakers in Govindi Shivaji Nagar. He has demanded action against illegal mosques within the limits of Govindi Shivaji Nagar and directed the police to take action against the loudspeakers and said that if action is not taken against the illegal mosque and loudspeakers within 48 hours, the BJP will protest.

Apart from this, the BJP has also demanded action and arrest against Yusuf Ansari, who threatened Kirit Somaiya on social media, and said that the police should arrest Yusuf Ansari immediately. Kirit Somaiya has termed the illegal mosque as land jihad and said that she is not afraid of goons like Yusuf Ansari, but will intensify her protest. Kirit Somaiya has also demanded action against illegal Bangladeshis in Govindi Shivaji Nagar. This mischief of Kirit Somaiya has created a stir in the area. In view of Kirit Somaiya’s visit, the police had made strict security arrangements.

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