Mumbai: Amid the ongoing Assembly Elections, Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate from Bhiwandi (East), has demanded establishment and appointment of a cabinet minister for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to fast-track the infrastructure development projects and works in the region.

Shaikh has written to the MVA leaders Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Nana Patole on the same. The MMR is known as the region with the highest population density and the fastest growing region. The region includes 9 Municipal Corporations, 9 Municipal Councils, one Nagar Panchayat and 1465 villages in Palghar, Thane, Raigad districts. The population of this area is 2.35 crore and the area of the region is 6328 sq.

“Although there is a Mumbai Metropolitan Region Authority (MMRDA) in this area, its emphasis is on building infrastructure. There is lack of coordination between the local bodies and various authorities in MMR. Therefore, this region could not developed to its full potential. As a result, various projects and works of the local bodies are going on at a slow pace. Hence, the citizens are suffering due to the lack of basic amenities in the region,” said Rais Shaikh, MLA.

Shaikh further said Bhiwandi is a logistics and warehouse hub. “Navi Mumbai International Airport will be operational soon. There is Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in the area and a new port is being developed in Palghar district. Samruddhi Expressway, Virar-Alibag Multimodal Corridor, Coastal Highway, Railway Network are being developed that will create a huge transportation network in MMR,” added Shaikh.

He further said the projects in the area are being implemented by various authorities. “There is a lack of coordination between the authorities and the local bodies in the area. Therefore, there is a need for establishing seperate ministry for the MMR region that should be headed by a cabinet minister,” said Shaikh.

Mumbai: The dismembered body of a man, estimated to be between 25 and 40 years old, was discovered in several plastic boxes on the side road which goes to Gorai Beach in Mumbai on Sunday.

Upon receiving the information, police arrived at the scene and took the body into custody. It was later sent for a post-mortem examination. The body has not yet been identified, and a case has been registered.

According to police, on Sunday, a male body was found near Picxy Hotel, Babar Pada, Gorai, Borivali West. The body was cut into seven parts and packed in four plastic boxes. The deceased, believed to be between 25 and 40 years old, was wearing dark blue jeans and black shoes. His right hand bore tattoos.

A resident named Santosh Shinde, 55, from Mira Road, informed the Gorai police after learning about the incident. The Gorai police recovered the body from Shefali village in the Babarpada area.

A forensic team is currently investigating the case, and inquiries are ongoing in the vicinity of the incident location. Police have stated that the recovered body remains unidentified. The Gorai police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.

A special team has been formed to investigate, and information is being gathered from CCTV footage and nearby police stations to assist in identifying the body.

A police officer said that the body was sent to Bhagwati Hospital for a post-mortem. “We can’t conclude anything immediately, as we are still investigating the matter,” the officer said.

Nagpur: Addressing a public rally ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made an emotional appeal to the voters highlighting that despite been the Member of Legislative Assembly for 25 years, he does not own a house in Mumbai and is a proud Nagpurkar. Fadnavis is contesting from Nagpur South West, his hometown, where he is sitting MLA from 2009.

“I never thought for myself. I also did not start any businesses, educational institutions or medical colleges. For 25 years, I have worked only for society and did public works. I am glad to say that out of 20 Chief Ministers Maharashtra had, I am the only Chief Minister who does not own a house in Mumbai. I own house in Nagpur and I am a proud Nagpurkar,” Fadnavis said in an election rally.

Devendra Fadnavis was the CM of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019 when the BJP – Shiv Sena (undivided) was in power, and was the second CM in Maharashtra to complete full term. When the Mahayuti formed its government in 2022, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde became the CM and Fadnavis took charge as his deputy. Fadnavis currently resides in his official residence ‘Sagar Bhunglow’ in Mumbai’s Malabar Hill.

For the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, BJP fielded Fadnavis from Nagpur South West, his hometown, from where he three-term sitting MLA. The BJP this time is contesting with alliance partners Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

With the elections less than a week away, all parties and political leaders have intensified their campaigning. With the campaign at last stages, the leaders are making emotional appeal to voters. With both Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) releasing their election manifesto, several promises are made to public.

This will be the second direct fight between Mahayuti and MVA after 2024 Lok Sabha elections.