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As bulldozer politics enters Delhi, Congress accuses BJP of bigotry

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 Ahead of the Delhi civic polls, bulldozer politics has entered the national capital both physically and politically. The BJP, AAP and the Congress are at loggerheads since the BJP ruled civic body in Delhi started bulldozing illegal structures in Jahangirpuri and then initiating an anti-encroachment drive in places like Shaheen Bagh.

The Congress and AAP local leaders have opposed the drive in Shaheen Bagh but the Congress is more vocal than Delhi’s ruling party, the AAP. However, on Friday Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia of the AAP wrote a letter to the Union Home Minister asking that the demolition drive be stopped as it will affect 60 lakh people.

Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala reacting to the drive said, “The bulldozer of bigotry, superstition, sectarianism, fanaticism, injustice and intolerance heaped upon the Nation by the BJP government has to a large extent trampled upon India’s march ahead.”

“The issues of Development-Progress-Prosperity-Education-Schools-Roads-Hospitals-Infrastructure-Industry-Employment-Agriculture are no longer electoral issues in our country.”

He said that the BJP is not looking at the issues which are relevant to the country. The “BJP sponsored issues are Shamshan/Kabristan, Bulldozer, Loudspeaker, Mandir vs Masjid vs Church vs Gurudwara, changing names of roads and monuments, creating division on the basis of clothing and food habits.”

The politics of bulldozers which started from Uttar Pradesh is taking a pan-India turn with many states ruled by the BJP initiating this from Assam to Madhya Pradesh. However the BJP has defended this move of bulldozers. BJP leader Adesh Gupta blamed the “Bangladeshis and Rohingyas for the violent clashes”, and asked the North Delhi Mayor to remove illegal encroachments in the area. Later he also asked the other two Mayors to remove the encroachments.

However, it is not that there is no opposition. More than a dozen civil society organisations and political parties took out a procession on April 11 to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal’s residence protesting against the anti-encroachment drive in the national capital.

Holding placards and raising slogans, as the citizen groups marched ahead a large police force stopped them much before the road leading to the LG’s residence. The protesters also shouted slogans against “rising” communalism.

The protesters also included Left wing organisations such as the CPI, CPI(M), CPI (ML), AIFB and RSP.

All India Kisan Mahasabha Secretary Purushottam Mishra told IANS: “This is a demonstration to protest action against the poor of the country. This is not an action against illegal encroachments but an attempt to divide the Hindu and Muslim communities and a campaign for corporates to loot the common man.”

“The government is trying to distract the common man by raising communal politics. We will raise our voice against it across the country. We shall organise demonstrations throughout May,” he said.

However the Congress and the AAP were caught unawares as the BJP seems to have set the agenda for the MCD polls through Shaheen Bagh — famous for its month long anti-CAA protest.

Local AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan was arrested on Thursday for blocking MCD officials, but Congress leaders in Shaheen Bagh continue to accuse the BJP and the AAP of ‘fixing’. Khan was granted bail on Friday.

It blamed the civic body and staged high octane protests after a MCD team reached Shaheen Bagh to raze “illegal” structures in the area on Monday. Congress leader Parvez Alam Khan, Vice Chairman of the Delhi Congress’ Media Department, who was detained by the police said that the local MLA came late after the Congress started protesting; he should have spoken to the administration but “the AAP and the BJP are in match fixing”.

“Why is Adesh Gupta (Delhi BJP chief) issuing orders, this means the mayors are incompetent,” he said.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Female Doctor At J J Hospital Attempts Suicide; Condition Stable, Investigation Underway

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Mumbai: Following the recent suicide of a doctor at J.J. Hospital who jumped from the Atal Setu, another female doctor from the same hospital attempted to take her own life in her hostel room on Thursday night. She was promptly given medical treatment, and her condition is currently stable.

The hospital administration, along with the Department of Medical Education and Research, has set up independent committees to investigate the incident. The doctor ingested an overdose of medication but was quickly admitted to the hospital by her colleagues, which helped save her life. Her parents in Uttar Pradesh have been informed about the situation.

The exact reasons behind her suicide attempt remain unclear. Dr. Ajay Bhandarwar, Dean of J J Hospital, stated that the findings of the two separate inquiry committees, one at the hospital and another by the Department of Medical Education and Research, will provide clarity once their reports are submitted.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad Booked For Obstructing Police Vehicle Outside Vidhan Sabha

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Mumbai: A complaint has been lodged against NCP(SP) leader Jitendra Awhad at the Marine Drive Police Station in Mumbai, following an altercation that occurred between the NCP leader’s supporters and BJP workers at the Maharashtra assembly complex, according to ANI reports.

The confrontation involving the backers of NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar followed a tense discussion between the two MLAs.

An official stated that the Mumbai police filed a case against Awhad for hindering public servants in performing their duties during a protest at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan. Both Padalkar and Awhad voiced their disappointment in the House regarding the altercation between their backers.

Vidhan Bhavan Fight

Thursday evening saw a confrontation between BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad’s workers in the Maharashtra Assembly, damaging its reputation. Speaker Rahul Narvekar addressed it, with Awhad citing death threats.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed frustration over the situation while distancing the Speaker’s comments from Awhad’s claims. The altercation, which began after Padalkar’s vehicle allegedly hit Awhad, escalated into violence. Fadnavis called for an investigation, while Uddhav Thackeray criticized the government’s inaction.

Maharashtra legislative assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar stated that the associates of the two MLAs, who were part of Thursday’s altercation and apprehended by the state legislature’s security, will confront a breach of privilege of the House.

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Maharashtra

Congress Alleges Ministers, Officials Caught In Honey Trap Scandal; Demands Probe In Maharashtra Assembly

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Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that several ministers and senior officials of the ruling Mahayuti government are involved in a honey trap scandal. On Thursday, Patole presented a pen drive as purported evidence in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, claiming it contained sensitive information exposing the scandal.

Speaking in the Assembly, Patole said, “More than 72 senior officials and some ministers have fallen victim to honey traps. Sensitive information is being extracted and handed over to anti-social elements. Some officials have even been blackmailed to the extent of contemplating suicide. Despite the seriousness of the issue, the government refuses to make even a basic statement on the matter.”

He further claimed that cities like Thane, Nashik, and Mumbai have become centers of these honey trap operations. “I don’t intend to tarnish anyone’s image, but the government is not taking this seriously. Important government documents are being leaked through these traps, and I urge the Speaker to issue directions,” Patole added.

The issue was echoed in the Legislative Council as well, where Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve reiterated the claims. Danve stated that information had emerged indicating the involvement of political leaders and senior officials in honey traps. He warned that such incidents posed a threat to administrative secrecy and the law and order situation in the state.

“During the Pahalgam attack, individuals involved in similar activities were caught by the central government. It is feared that confidential administrative information and key files have been leaked through these traps. Police have already begun inquiries in Thane and Nashik. This matter must be taken seriously from the standpoint of state security,” Danve said.

He also emphasized the possibility that some individuals might have gained administrative advantages through blackmail, urging the government to clarify its position and investigate the matter thoroughly.

On Wednesday, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad also raised concerns about the impact of the scandal on Nashik’s image. “It is unfortunate that Nashik, a city of rich heritage, is being associated with such cases. What kind of political culture are we promoting? People are stooping to shocking levels of immorality just to make money,” Awhad remarked.

While the state government has yet to make a formal statement, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde acknowledged the issue, stating that the government has taken note of the matter.

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