Politics
BJP set to win 8 of 11 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh
With the Election Commission announcing the notification for the 57 seats of Rajya Sabha (RS) biennial elections slated to be held on June 10, the spotlight has turned to Uttar Pradesh which will be sending 11 members to the Upper House.
However, unlike previous Rajya Sabha elections, this time the contest is restricted to the ruling BJP and the opposition SP, while the Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party have been relegated to non-players because of their miniscule presence in the state Assembly.
Of the total 403 MLAs in the state Assembly, BJP and its alliance partners, including Apna Dal (S) and Nishad Party, have 273 in Vidhan Sabha.
The SP, along with alliance partners like Rashtriya Lok Dal and Om Prakash Rajbhar-led Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), has 125 seats.
Besides, the Congress has two seats, Raja Bhaiyya-led Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) two and the Bahujan Samaj Party has one seat.
As per the numbers, the BJP is in a position to win at least eight RS seats, while the SP would stake claim to at least three seats.
For both BJP and SP camp, there are five floating votes of BSP, Jansatta Dal and Congress.
Of these, the BSP and Jansatta Dal are likely to go with BJP.
A candidate will need 37.63 votes for one seat. This means the BJP will require 298.64 votes to win eight seats, around 26 additional votes as it has 273 votes.
So, the second preference vote will also come into play.
Similarly, the SP will require 111. 99 votes for three seats which means that the party can get three seats without much support from alliance partners.
However, this will depend much on how disgruntled SP MLAs like Shivpal Yadav, Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan will vote.
Sources said that Azam Khan might ask for his wife Tanzeem Fatima’s seat in Rajya Sabha to put pressure on Akhilesh Yadav.
According to political observers, as these MLAs have strained ties with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Meanwhile, cross-voting in RS cannot be ruled out because the voting in RS poll is a closed one, while for council seats, it is open. The voters need to show their vote before casting it in the council elections.
Sources said that the SP alliance partners, especially RLD’s Jayant Chaudhary, might also put pressure on Akhilesh and demand at least one RS seat.
Similarly, Om Prakash Rajbhar’s move would also be closely watched especially after reports of his hobnobbing with BJP leaders post assembly elections results.
Some of the big names in politics who are retiring form Rajya Sabha include BJP’s Shiv Pratap Shukla, Hari Om Yadav, Surendra Singh Nagar, Sanjay Seth, Jai Prakash Nishad and Zafar Islam.
SP’s Vishambhar Prasad Nishad, Sukhram Singh Yadav and Reoti Raman Singh are also retiring from RS.
BSP’s Satish Mishra is among those who are retiring and all eyes are on how he manages to re-enter the upper house.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
“Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) and Unity of the Ummah” conference at Mira Road… More than 3500 participants attended this historic conference

Mira Road: A grand and grand conference titled “Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ and Unity of the Ummah” organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Mira Road was held at NH School Ground, in which the extraordinary participation of more than 3500 men and women made it a historic gathering.
The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Tariq Shah (Ameer of Local Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Mira Road) and it was made clear that the main objective of the conference is to promote unity and solidarity in the Muslim Ummah, to build Islamic character in the light of the Seerat-e-Nabvi ﷺ, and to strengthen the struggle for the revival of the Prophetic mission in the society. He also explained the activities, subsidiary organizations and projects of Jamaat-e-Islami. He said that the main objective of this gathering is to bring the Ummah together at one center in the light of the Seerat-e-Nabvi ﷺ and to strengthen the struggle for positive change in the society.
The presidential address was delivered by Maulana Waliullah Saeedi Falahi, Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, which was greatly appreciated by the audience. Maulana said in his address that the success of the Ummah lies in the complete adherence to the Seerat-e-Prophet (peace be upon him). If Muslims adopt the morals, justice, and wisdom of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), then society can become a cradle of peace and justice. He guided in the light of the Seerat-e-Prophet (peace be upon him) and said that religion commands us to be just, honest, and serve the people, and these qualities form the foundation of a strong nation and a developed society.
The general address was delivered by Ameer-e-Halqa of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, Nazim City Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Mumbai Mr. Rashid Khan, Mohtamam Darul Uloom Azizia Maulana Abdullah Qasmi, Imam Haideri Mosque Syed Hassan Imam, and political leader Syed Muzaffar Hussain.
Other speakers shed comprehensive light on important topics such as the role of Muslims in the development and progress of the country, the strength of the family system, the active role of women in Islamic movements, and the mission of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)—propagating the message of religion and forming the best moral character. Finally, the conference in-charge Atta-ul-Haq specially thanked all the participants, social and religious leaders, the public, and the organizational departments—SIO, GIO, and Youth Movement—for their services.
The gathering ended with a heartfelt prayer by Maulana Zakaria Sahib.
National News
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma show will continue: Dale Steyn

New Delhi, Dec 2: Former South Africa cricketer Dale Steyn believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s show will continue in the ongoing ODI series ahead of the second ODI on Wednesday in Raipur.
At the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, India overcame a scare and easily defeated South Africa in a closely contested match to win the first ODI by 17 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Speaking on the expectations from the second ODI, JioStar expert Dale Steyn said: “I think the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma show will continue. I’m eager to see which fast bowlers, and which spinners, come out and do something interesting.”
India put up a commanding first innings total, driven by a brilliant century from Virat Kohli and critical fifties from Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul following the early setback as India amassed a mammoth 398/8 in 50 overs. Later in the game, Kuldeep Yadav 4/68 and Harshit Rana 3/65 helped India beat the visitors by 17 runs.
The experienced pair of Rohit and Virat stitched together a fluent 136-run stand, taking the pressure off after the early setback. Rohit reached a brisk 57 off 51 balls and broke Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record for most ODI sixes before Marco Jansen trapped him lbw.
In the meantime, Kohli carried on unhindered, reaching his 83rd international century and 52nd ODI century. He advanced fast after reaching three figures, taking on Prenelan Subrayen with two fours and two sixes.
Rahul offered excellent support with a well-paced 60, adding 76 important runs with Kohli. After Kohli’s removal for 135, Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja pushed India towards a huge finish with a 65-run partnership. But a late mini-collapse that included wickets from Corbin Bosch and Jansen limited India to 349/8.
Steyn emphasised the importance of wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock’s role and expects a big knock from him. “It’s been a batter’s paradise so far, so which bowlers will step up and really perform in the second ODI? Quinton de Kock didn’t score any runs in the first ODI, but I feel like he has a point to prove. He’s someone South Africa will lean on to score big for them.”
Crime
Navi Mumbai Crime: Anti-Human Trafficking Unit Busts Prostitution Racket At Vashi Spa; 6 Women Rescued, Manager Arrested

Navi Mumbai, Dec 02: Navi Mumbai Police’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) on Saturday busted a prostitution racket operating under the guise of massage services at Arpana’s Salon & Spa in Sector 11, Juhugaon, Vashi, rescuing six women from the premises. The spa’s manager, Asima Robin Ghosh (34), was arrested, while her partner, Noor Alam Shaikh, remains absconding.
According to police, the spa was allegedly charging Rs 6,000 per customer and coercing women into prostitution. Acting on specific information, the AHTU deployed a decoy customer on November 30 to verify the operations.
Once the illegal activities were confirmed, a team led by Senior Police Inspector Prithviraj Ghorpade, along with API Yogesh Deshmukh, PSI Sarita Gude and other personnel, conducted a swift raid on the establishment.
During the operation, officers found six women who revealed they were being forced into sex work under the guise of providing massage services. Based on their statements, police registered a case against Ghosh and Shaikh under BNS Section 143(3) and Sections 3, 4, 7 and 7(1) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
“We will continue to crack down on establishments exploiting women under the pretext of spa and massage services. Action will be taken against all those involved, including the absconding accused,” said Senior PI Prithviraj Ghorpade.
Ghosh has been remanded to police custody till December 4, and the search for Noor Alam Shaikh is underway, officials added.
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