Mumbai: A political war of words erupted in Maharashtra after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah as an “anaconda” during his party’s Nirdhar rally at Worli Dome in Mumbai. Thackeray accused the BJP of trying to “swallow Mumbai” and claimed that two businessmen had their eyes on the city. His remarks drew sharp criticism from the ruling Mahayuti alliance, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde issuing a strong rebuttal.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Shinde said, “If you say anaconda, then he is an anaconda himself. For the last 25 years, they have been sitting on the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s treasury with a big scythe. This anaconda has a different characteristic; it does not fill its stomach.

It swallowed Mumbai’s treasury, it swallowed Mumbai, it swallowed the khichdi of Mumbai patients. It swallowed some plots of land in Mumbai. It swallowed the mud in Mithi, it swallowed the asphalt on the road, but its stomach is still not full.”

Quoting from his press interaction, Shinde further said, “Anaconda himself was sitting on the vault of Mumbai. He swallowed the vault of Mumbai, swallowed Mumbai, swallowed the patient’s khichdi, swallowed money in the dead body bag, swallowed money in the dammer. Here, the garbage of the Mithi river has also been swallowed.”

The Deputy Chief Minister added that the people of Mumbai are aware of who truly developed the city. “When I became the Chief Minister, concrete roads began to be built, beautification began, escapism began, and the metro work restarted. People know who is developing and who is swallowing Mumbai,” he said.

Shinde also dismissed Thackeray’s claim that Mumbai was being separated from Maharashtra, calling it an “old cassette” played before every election. He said voters would not fall for the same allegations again.

Canberra, Oct 28: Australia skipper Mitch Marsh spoke about the team’s newly adopted aggressive approach ahead of their first T20I against reigning World Champions India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, and said the bold new style had developed organically, driven by the team’s personnel.

Australia’s new strategy in the shortest format will be put to the test by the visitors as the two sides gear up for a five-match T20I series down under. When the teams start their series here on Wednesday, the venue will be a hostile ground for the hosts, as passionate India supporters are expected to turn a sold-out Manuka Oval into a sea of blue, like they did during the recently concluded final ODI of the three-match series.

Since their dismal second consecutive T20 World Cup exit in 2024, Australia have adopted a more aggressive, quick-scoring approach, leading to 12 wins in their last 13 matches. Marsh has played a crucial role in that success, as his aggressive approach during powerplays at the top of the order has helped lay the groundwork for Australia’s winning streak.

“I think that’s happened quite organically, to be honest, just with the personnel we’ve got in the team. We had two World Cups where we didn’t quite go all the way, and I guess we spoke about wanting to change ourselves as a team to what we think can win us a World Cup. And as a batting unit, we have played a lot more aggressively.

“I think that’s been the nature of T20 cricket for a lot of teams over the last few years. We’re not gonna get it right every time. We will fail. But if we’re clear on how we wanna go about it, that gives us the best chance for success,” Marsh told reporters ahead of the T20I series opener.

However, India presents a more formidable challenge than Australia has encountered since their style change. The visitors have secured 17 wins in their last 19 T20 matches and are heavily favoured to win the forthcoming series and to defend the World Cup title when they hosts it in 2026.

“I know that we’ve got eight games to go for us, and we’re really building nicely with the way we want to play and go about it. We feel great at the moment, but we know there’s going to be a big series coming up,” he added.

Thane: A tragic incident has shaken the city of Thane after a 17-year-old girl, who was set on fire by her friend four days ago, succumbed to her burn injuries on Sunday morning. The victim, who had sustained nearly 80 per cent burns, was undergoing treatment at KEM Hospital in Mumbai but could not survive despite doctors’ efforts.

According to the police, the accused, also 17, worked as a delivery boy, while the victim was employed as a compounder at a local dispensary. The two had known each other for several years and had lived in Chembur before both families moved to Balkum about a year ago. Police said the two were believed to have been close and were in frequent contact.

The incident took place when the girl was alone at home on Friday. The boy allegedly entered the house and, after an argument over a personal issue, poured an inflammable liquid on her and set her ablaze. Hearing her cries, neighbours rushed to help, and the accused himself took her to Thane Civil Hospital. She was later shifted to KEM Hospital in Mumbai for advanced care, where under treatment she lost her life on Tueday morning.

Senior Police Inspector Pravin Mane of Kapurbawdi police station confirmed that the accused was detained under charges of attempt to murder, which will now be converted to murder following the girl’s death. He was produced before the Juvenile Court in Thane and sent to a remand home.

Police sources revealed that the girl had earlier told relatives the boy had threatened her during a visit to Chembur for the Bhaubij festival. Authorities are now verifying this claim. Forensic experts are examining the flammable substance used in the attack, and officers are continuing their probe to determine the exact motive behind the crime.