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Maharashtra

YEAREND INTERVIEW: Cong seats won’t grow like Rahul’s beard: Ramdas Athawale

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With the nation set to go to the polls in 2024, political parties have already started preparing for the all-important Lok Sabha elections.

While the Congress is covering the length and breadth of the country with its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, the BJP too is in action mode to ensure painting the nation with saffron colour for the third successive term.

Speaking exclusively with IANS, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, claimed that the BJP will will win 350 seats in 2024, while the NDA’s tally will touch the 400-mark.

Also targeting Rahul Gandhi and his Bharat Jodo Yatra, the President of the Republican Party of India said that he (Rahul Gandhi) might have grown his beard, but that won’t help the Congress grow the number of seats in 2024, as the Yatra will make no difference.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

Q: The year 2022 is nearing its end. How did the year go for your ministry? What were the achievements?

A: This year, we introduced many policies for the SC, OBC and De-notified Tribes (DNTs). We also introduced policies under the Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which is a programme for the differently-able community of the country.

Similarly, we have pension policies for the elderly. We have three commissions under our ministry — for the Schedule Caste, Other Backward Class and Safai Mazdoor. We keep working on such policies so that people can get benefits from them.

Q: What are the major plans of the ministry for 2023?

A: We have appointed the Rohini Commission under which there is 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, but the DNTs are demanding separate reservation. Though this falls under the OBC category, the DNT community is not getting any benefits from the commission. So there are talks regarding categorisation of this 27 per cent reservation system.

Also, we have given 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections in jobs and admission, whose annual family income is below Rs 8 lakh and who don’t fall under SC/ST/OBC categories. Any family from any caste falls in this category and can avail benefits of this policy.

We have also appointed a three-member commission, headed by former Chief Justice of India, K.G. Balakrishnan, to consider the possibility of granting SC status to ‘new persons who have historically belonged to the Scheduled Castes’, but have converted to religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. He has also been given the responsibility to study Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians and submit a report within six months.

Q: India is hosting the G20 meet next year. What will be the contribution of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment?

A: We are in the process of chalking out new programmes for the G20 meet. We will come up with new ideas.

Besides, we have a scheme of overseas scholarship under which we give scholarships to Schedule Caste students to go aboard and study. This year, we sent 125 students abroad and we are targeting to ramp up the numbers next year.

Q: The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are not far away, and the Republican Party of India is in alliance with the BJP. What are you thoughts about the upcoming general elections?

A: In 2024, we are targeting 350+ seats for the BJP, while the NDA should win 400+ seats. In 2019, BJP had got 303 seats alone, so the target is more this time. The Republican Party of India is fully with the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds good thoughts about Babasaheb Ambedkar. He has vowed to strengthen the Constitution framed by Ambedkar. His ideology of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas’ is appreciable.

The Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Aatamnirbhar Bharat’ is incomparable. He is a global leader. He has taken the country’s economy to a new level. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi cannot even face Modi in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Q: The opposition parties seem to be coming together for the next general elections, just like like they formed the Mahagathbandhan in 2019. What is your take on this?

A: It is hard for all the opposition parties to come together. Also, every party wants the PM candidate to be from their party. Even if they come together, facing PM Modi will be tough for them. The Prime Minister not only has the support of the NDA, he also enjoys the support of the common people. He is running a good government.

Q: Rahul Gandhi’s popularity seems to be growing with the Bharat Jodo Yatra that his drawing good crowd. Do you think it will make any difference in 2024?

A: This is not Bharat Jodo Yatra, but ‘Bharat Todo Yatra’. If Congress wanted to do Bharat Jodo, they could have done it during its 70-year rule. But what they did was ‘Bharat Todo’.

Also, Rahul Gandhi should first work on ‘Congress Jodo’ instead. Yes, the Yatra is drawing large crowds, but that will not translate into votes in favour of the Congress. Rahul Gandhi has grown his beard, but Congress’ seats will not grow.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Nearly 10 Women Injured After Fireworks Misfire During Ganpati Visarjan In Nagpur;

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Nagpur: A major accident occurred during Ganpati Visarjan in Nagpur’s Umred area on Thursday night. The incident took place during the visarjan ceremony, which was accompanied by a large crowd and heavy fireworks. According to reports, while the fireworks were going off, sparks unexpectedly flew toward several people, leading to chaos. Local media reports confirmed that eight to ten women suffered burns as a result of the firework mishap.

Video Shows Terrifying Scenes

A video of the event has surfaced online, showing the moment when the fireworks went viral on social media. In the video shared on YouTube by news channel, one can see the celebration including the sound of drums and other instruments being played, but suddenly, fireworks erupt, filling the air with smoke. Panic ensues as people realise the danger and the women caught in the chaos try to escape.

a procession by the ‘Sivasneh Ganesh Mandal’ (a community group) was making its way to the Shri Krishna temple amid fireworks when the accident happened. According to eyewitnesses, a mandal member was bursting firecrackers when some flew off and exploded among those gathered to watch the procession, triggering a stampede-like situation.

Injured Women Rushed To Hospital

The suddenness of the event caused panic, especially in the densely packed crowd. People started running in all directions, creating a chaotic atmosphere. The injured women were immediately taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment for their burns. The police have stated that an investigation into the incident is underway.

Case Filed Against Mandal Workers

seven women suffered injuries after being struck by burning embers and were rushed to a local hospital. Four of them are reported to be in critical condition, confirmed an official from Umred police station. A case has been registered against the mandal workers under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Maharashtra Police Act

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: BEST Bus Conductor Injured After Being Stabbed During On-Duty Robbery Attempt At Dharavi’s Pila Bungalow; Accused Arrested

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Mumbai: A BEST bus conductor, Ashok Dagale was attacked by unidentified individuals while on duty on bus route number 7 at Dharavi’s Pila Bungalow stop on Thursday, September 19. The attackers assaulted him with the intent of robbery. He has since been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Sion Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.

BEST Kamgar Sena Condemns Attack On Conductor

BEST Kamgar Sena President Suhas Samant is scheduled to visit Dagale at the hospital today. Expressing his outrage over the attack, Samant condemned the incident and criticised the government’s failure to maintain control over such criminal activities.

He voiced his frustration with the functioning of the state’s Home Department, stating that the government, including the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, is more focused on winning elections rather than addressing the concerns of Maharashtra’s citizens.

Accused Arrested Swiftly By Police

In response to the attack, the police have arrested the accused, Shahbaz Khan, and recovered a mobile phone and knife from him. This swift action by the authorities has provided some relief, but the incident has sparked broader concerns about the safety of public workers, especially those in critical roles like bus conductors.

The attack on Dagale has raised questions about the lack of security measures in place for bus staff, who are often exposed to such risks during their duties. The BEST Kamgar Sena, led by Samant, is pushing for more stringent protection for workers and increased accountability from the government. As Dagale continues to receive treatment, the union and the public at large await further action from the authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future.

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Maharashtra

Panvel: 3 Vehicles Collide, 1 Dead, 2 Injured In Major Accident On Mumbai Pune Expressway

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Mumbai: In another fatal accident on the Mumbai Pune Expressway, on Friday early morning three vehicles collided against each other, overturing a truck and mangling a car. As per reports, one passenger was killed on the spot and two others were severely injured.

The video of the horrifying accident has surfaced on the internet. The incident took place in Panvel.

In the accident, a truck, a tanker and a car smashed on one another. It is said that all the three vehicles were in high speed which lead the truck to overturn and crush the car.

The Panvel police, highway traffic police, ambulances and other concerned authorities reached the spot immediately. The injured are taken to a nearby hospital. As per initial information, the accident occurred on Pune lane of the expressway.

So far, the police have not informed the identification of the victims. The exact time of incident is not clear. Intestigations are underway.

Recent Accident

On July 16, a bus carrying 54 people collided with a tractor and plunged into a ditch on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. The mishap claimed five lives and left 46 injured.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde later announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.

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