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Maharashtra Elections 2024: BJP’s Ganesh Naik Stirs Up Storm With Controversial Remark; Says ‘All My Rivals Are Dead’

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Maharashtra Elections 2024: BJP’s Ganesh Naik Stirs Up Storm With Controversial Remark; Says 'All My Rivals Are Dead'

Mumbai: Amid the Assembly election campaign, BJP nominee and former minister Ganesh Naik from the Airoli constituency sparked controversy on Thursday by stating that all his rivals who conspired against him are dead.

His remarks came at a time when many leaders in the Mahayuti opposed Naik’s nomination and declined to campaign for him. Despite facing challenges from within the BJP, Naik adopted an aggressive stance, asserting that he is fully capable of handling the situation.

“Last time, I was inattentive. Everyone knows that I was cheated and lost in the 1999 elections. I had a lead of 7,500 votes in the first round. All the people who conspired against me are dead; not one is left alive. One should not speak ill of the dead. Tell the Lord to keep them with Him so their souls can rest in peace,” said Naik.

Naik, who lost to Shiv Sena candidate Sitaram Bhoir as an NCP nominee in the 1999, was elected again as an NCP candidate in 2004 and 2009. However, he lost to BJP candidate Manda Mhatre in the Belapur seat during 2014. In 2019, he was elected from Airoli as the BJP nominee after his son, sitting legislator Sandeep Naik, chose to opt out of the electoral race.

Shiv Sena Leader Slams Ganesh Naik’s Remarks

Hours after Naik’s controversial statement, Shiv Sena leader Vijay Chaugule reacted sharply. “Ganesh Naik has made this statement about Shiv Sena’s former Thane district Anand Dighe and former NCP veteran Vasant Davkhare. We seek votes displaying Anand Dighe’s photo. Anand Dighe is God to us. If Ganesh Naik is so outrageous, we will hold a public protest against him near Balasaheb Thackeray’s statue in Airoli.

Although Naik successfully secured his nomination from the Airoli constituency, his efforts, along with those of his son Sandeep Naik, to obtain the BJP ticket for the neighboring Belapur seat were unsuccessful, as the party nominated sitting legislator Manda Mhatre instead.

Maharashtra

Mumbai News Updates: City Under Red Alert, Heavy Rains Cause Waterlogging In Sion, Andheri, Bandra & Dadar

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Mumbai: Mumbai woke up on Monday morning to dark, cloudy skies and persistent heavy rainfall, marking the third consecutive day of intense showers across the city. Heavy rainfall is expected to cause traffic disruption and delays in public transport.

12:20 PM

Visuals show waterlogging in Tilak Nagar area near Chembur. Commuters and vehicles wading through flooded streets.

Holiday Declared For Schools & Colleges Amid Heavy Rains

BMC shared an update on X informing the citizens about the weather warning, upgraded from orange to red alert. The civic body also announced a holiday for schools and colleges across the city.

Mumbai Under Red Alert!

IMD upgrades weather warning for Mumbai from orange to red alert. The weather department also warned of extermely heavy showers to lash the city in next few hours.

11:20 AM

Mumbai Police Commissioner issues advisory cautioning citizens of extreme conditions. “Please avoid non-essential travel, plan your commute with care, and step out only if necessary,” urged the police force chief in an update on X.

11:00 AM

BMC Issues Warning Of Extremely Heavy Rainfall Over the Next Three to Four hours.

The weather department in Mumbai shares data on rainfall recorded across city this morning. The data shows rainfall recorded across city between 9:00 am and 10:00 am.

Avg Rainfall details frm 0900 hrs to 1000 hrs :

CT- 37 mm

ES- 39 mm

WS- 29 mm

Rainfall details frm 0900 hrs to 1000 hrs:

CT- Pratiksha Nagar Mun. School, Sion, Worli Seaface Mun. School, Worli- 37mm, B Nadkarni Park Mun. School, Wadala- 34, Frosberry Reserviour- 33, Municipal Head Office- 30, Rawali Camp, City Institute of DM, Sewri Koliwada Mun. School, Sewri – 29, SWD Workshop Dadar- 27, D Ward Office, F North Ward Office ES-26

ES- Chembur Fire Station-65mm, Shivaji Nagar Mun School -50, Vaibhava Nagar Mun school-49, Mankhurd fire stn-48, Collector colony mun school chembur-46, Nutan Vidya Mandir -44, MPS Maharashtra Nagar Mun School Mankhurd -43, M/E, M/W ward office-42, Tagore Nagar Mun School Vikhroli -42, BP office Vikhroli West-38, Rambai Mun school Ghatkoper-37, Vikhroli fire stn-36, MCMCR Powai-35

WS: Bandra fire stan-2mm, Versova pumping stn-24, BKC fire stn, Marol fire stn-23

10:10 AM

BMC shares video of Hindmata flooding amid heavy rains. “All seven pumps at the Hindmata Pumping Station are in operation for draining rainwater from the Hindmata area. Traffic in the area is presently smooth and unobstructed,” posted the civic body on X.

Traffic Jams Reported Across City Amid Heavy Rains

Massive traffic jams were reported across the city during peak morning hours in the city. Traffic jams were reported at several places including Byculla, Eastern  Freeway, P D Mello Road, Chembur, Kurla and Thane. Another long traffic jam was reported from Goregaon to Bandra in the peak morning hours.

Red Alert For Pune, Satara & Raigad

IMD issued a red alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Kolhapur and Pune, indicating the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall in these districts.

IndiGo Issues Travel Advisory For Passengers

IndiGo released a travel advisory on Monday morning, cautioning passengers about waterlogging on key arterial roads leading to the airport. The airline urged travelers to plan journeys with extra time in hand and to check flight status updates on digital platforms before leaving home.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Rain: All Schools & Colleges Closed Today Amid Red Alert Warning; Check Details

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Mumbai: Mumbai is on high alert as torrential rains leading to severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions across several areas. In response, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, authorities have stepped in with urgent safety measures.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city today, August 18, including both government and private institutions.

The decision, announced by Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, is aimed at ensuring the safety of students as the downpour shows no signs of easing.

“Considering the continuous rainfall since morning and prioritizing student safety, all schools and colleges scheduled to function in the second session, i.e., after 12 noon, will remain closed today,” the BMC stated in tweet on X.

The alert is likely to last until Tuesday, and the government urges citizens to take appropriate precautions.

Residents have been urged to step out only when absolutely necessary, as several parts of the city continue to report flooding and transport delays. The civic body has also shared its control room helpline number 1916 for citizens requiring assistance or official information.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians have been advised to remain cautious and follow updates from the IMD and BMC as weather conditions may remain unstable in the coming hours.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Water Stock Levels In Seven Lakes Cross 91%; City Faces Heavy Monsoon Rain With Orange Alerts Till August 19

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Mumbai: The city continues to reel under heavy monsoon showers as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Mumbai and its adjoining districts under an orange alert until August 19, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. Several districts including Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Kolhapur, and Pune remain on red alert due to the likelihood of extremely heavy downpours.

On Monday morning, torrential rain slowed traffic on the Western Express Highway near Vile Parle and caused delays on Central and Harbour railway lines. Waterlogging was reported in areas like Nalasopara and Wadala, while a powerful rain band dumped nearly 80 mm of rain per hour over Bandra and South Mumbai.

Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air issued advisories, urging passengers to plan airport travel in advance due to waterlogged roads leading to the airport.

Heavy rains have significantly increased Mumbai’s water stock, with the seven lakes supplying the city at 91.18% capacity as of August 18. Upper Vaitarna is at 87.13% capacity, while Modak Sagar is at 86.61%, having received 36 mm of rainfall. Tansa is nearly full at 98.81%, and Middle Vaitarna is at 97.34%. Bhatsa holds 89.82%. Vihar and Tulsi reservoirs are at 95.16% and 100%, respectively, with Tulsi Lake overflowing since August 16.

With a combined stock of 13.19 lakh million litres, the city now has a comfortable buffer, ensuring no immediate water shortage concerns despite the growing demand. For comparison, the total storage at this time last year was slightly higher at 93.04%.

However, officials warn that continued intense rainfall could lead to reservoir overflows and controlled releases from dams, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. The IMD has cautioned residents to remain alert until August 19, as heavy showers in short bursts could aggravate waterlogging, affect transport, and slow down daily life in the city.

Mumbai has already received 64% of its annual average rainfall this season, with the eastern suburbs recording the highest at 1,534 mm so far. With two more days of high alert, the city remains under close watch.

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