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

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�
Maharashtra
At least 5 killed as passengers fall off moving train near Mumbra in Thane: Railways

Mumbai: At least five people died after around 12 passengers allegedly fell off a moving train near Mumbra railway station in Thane on Monday morning, according to a spokesperson for the Central Railway.
The passengers reportedly fell around 9.30 am while the Kasara-bound train, which started from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), was passing through the Diva-Mumbra area.
While authorities are trying to determine what exactly caused the accident, sources said it occurred because the train was overcrowded and passengers were standing on either side of its doors.
According to the Central Railway spokesperson, another train was passing towards the opposite side, resulting in the accident.
The railway authorities said they will share more details once they gain more clarity about what happened.
Following the accident, the Railway Board has decided that all trains being manufactured for the Mumbai Suburban region will have an automatic door-closing feature. Rakes that are in service will also be redesigned, and the same feature will be added.
Business
CM Fadnavis flags off Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Bharat Gaurav train

Mumbai, June 9: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday flagged off the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Railway service under the Gaurav Yatra of Indian Railways, saying that the journey will be an inspiring experience for all the passengers.
He further stated that the work of keeping alive the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Independence will be done through this railway.
“Today, more than seven hundred passengers are travelling on this railway. 80 per cent of these passengers are below the age of forty, who are going today to see the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Passengers coming from all parts of the state will get the opportunity to experience history through this circuit railway. It has been 351 years since the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji. I am happy that this railway is starting service on this day,” said the chief minister.
Stating that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj created Swarajya by defeating the Mughals and foreign invaders, CM Fadnavis said that later this Swarajya expanded to include the Attari.
“Today’s stop of this Gaurav Yatra will be at Raigad. Also, during this Yatra, important places like Shivneri, Lal Mahal, and Shivsruthi of Pune will be visited. Also, Goddess Ambabai of Kolhapur will be visited. Along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, I congratulate the state’s Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar and his department, the Tourism Department,” he said.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Fadnavis wished the passengers and congratulated them on travelling on this very first circuit yatra.
The 5-day special tour includes visits to important historical sites related to the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and history-based programmes. “The arrival of this glorious train at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai, in coordination with the Government of Maharashtra, will be a grand spectacle of Maharashtra’s culture. Tourists will be provided with detailed information about the tourist places at the places where the Bharat Gaurav train reaches,” said the government release.
The tour includes a visit to the Raigad Fort — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned here and was the capital; Lal Mahal, Pune — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent his childhood here; Kasba Ganapati and Shiva Culture, Pune — A museum on the life of Pune’s village deity and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; Shivneri Fort — Birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga — one of the major religious sites among the 12 Jyotirlingas; Pratapgad Fort — The site of the historic victory over Afzal Khan; Kolhapur — Mahalaxmi Temple; and Panhala Fort — a symbol of the bravery of Bajiprabhu Deshpande.
For making the experience of all the passengers pleasant and memorable, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation officials, in coordination with AirCTC, will guide them at every stage. In this 5-day journey, from railway stations to the forts of the Maharajas, tourists will be able to enjoy while observing the footprints of history at every place.
Tourists travelling by train on Monday were welcomed at the railway station by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation to the sound of traditional drums and cymbals, said the government release.
On this occasion, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, Cultural Department Secretary Vikas Kharge, Tourism Principal Secretary Atul Patne, Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Manoj Kumar Suryavanshi, General Manager of Indian Railways Dharamveer Meena, IRCTC’s Rahul Himalian, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation General Manager Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, Senior Manager Sanjay Dhekane, along with railway officials and passengers were present.
Maharashtra
Police alert for peaceful Eid-ul-Azha in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated peacefully in Mumbai and all of Maharashtra. In Thane, miscreants tried to spoil the atmosphere on Eid-ul-Azha, which was foiled by the police. The police have also taken action against such elements spreading poison on social media. Along with this, peaceful namaz was also offered at the Idgah located at Dogadi Fort in Kalyan. An attempt was also made to ring the bell in the temple located in Fort and at the right time of Namaz, Shiv Sena and Shinde workers gathered and rang the bell, due to which the police took them into custody and prevented the atmosphere from getting spoiled. Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbare had made tight security arrangements in sensitive areas like Mumbra, Bhiwandi Police Station, Rabodi Kalyan and Ulhasnagar. In Mumbai too, the police was alert and prepared in the backdrop of Eid-ul-Azha and Qurbani.
Due to the dispute over Qurbani in housing societies, the police had made tight arrangements in such societies where problems had arisen earlier. Along with this, BMC allowed sacrifice in many societies and temporary altars for sacrifice. Muslims performed the ritual of sacrifice with Abrahamic zeal. Apart from this, police guard was also kept on Eidgahs and mosques in Mumbai. Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti reviewed the situation. According to this, the arrangements in Mumbai were completed. Mumbai Police also kept an eye on the miscreants and monitored social media.
Along with this, Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated peacefully in various districts of Maharashtra, Malegaon, Aurangabad, Beed, Osmanabad, Amravati and all over Maharashtra. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere. Police sources have claimed that Eid was celebrated in a peaceful atmosphere and orders for action against the miscreants were also issued, after which sacrifice was done and the splendor of sacrifice was seen everywhere in Muslim localities.
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