Maharashtra
BMC Polls Strategy? Maharashtra CM Fadnavis’ Meeting With Raj Thackeray At His Dadar Residence Sets Political Circles Abuzz

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence, ‘Shivtirth’, at Shivaji Park on Monday. This was Fadnavis’s first visit to Raj Thackeray’s residence since the former became CM. Accompanying him was BJP leader Mohit Kamboj, while the MNS was represented by senior leaders Bala Nandgaonkar, Nitin Sardesai, and Sandeep Deshpande.
Meeting Triggers Intense Speculation In Political Circles
The meeting has triggered intense speculation in political circles, amid buzz of a BJP-MNS alliance for the upcoming local corporation elections. The speculation comes on the heels of reports of internal conflict within the stateʼs ruling bloc, the Mahayuti. In the Lok Sabha elections, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had extended unconditional support to the Mahayuti. However, in the assembly elections, the MNS contested independently but failed to win a single seat.
With the upcoming local body elections on the horizon, this meeting between the two leaders is being seen as significant. Speculation is also rife that an offer could be made regarding Rajʼs son Amit Thackeray’s political future, as part of this strategy.
Statement Of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
Speaking about his meeting with Raj Thackeray, CM Devendra Fadnavis clarified that it was not a political meeting but a personal one. He said, “Raj Thackeray had called to congratulate me when I became chief minister. At that time, I had told him that I would visit him at his home. I had an event in Dadar, so before that, I went to meet him at his residence. The speculation about this being a political meeting is only in the media. It was purely a personal visit.” Fadnavis also mentioned that he had had breakfast at Raj Thackeray’s residence.
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Criticises The Assembly Election Results
Before this meeting, Raj Thackeray had criticised the assembly election results during a gathering of MNS office-bearers. He questioned the outcome, saying, “Even those who won called me, shocked by the results. The BJP secured 132 seats, compared to 105 in the previous election and 122 in 2014. But Ajit Pawar’s party won 42 seats. Does that even seem believable? Just four months ago, he had only one MP. How can the results change so drastically in such a short time?”
Thackeray had also remarked that people often advised him not to meet BJP leaders. However, he countered this by saying, “If someone visits my home for tea, should I refuse?” Interestingly, just a week after these statements, Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray met on Monday morning.
In the coming months, the date for the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are expected to be announced. For the BJP, the key challenge will be to defeat Uddhav Thackeray. Since Eknath Shinde does not have a strong influence in Mumbai, there is growing curiosity about whether the BJP will once again seek Raj Thackeray’s support, as they did in the Lok Sabha elections.
Education
CBSE pattern in Maha govt schools from academic year 2025-26: Education Minister Bhuse

Mumbai, March 20: Maharashtra Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse announced on Thursday that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) pattern will be implemented in government schools across the state from the academic year 2025-26.
Textbooks under CBSE will be made available in Marathi by April 1.
The Education Department has issued instructions to the schools governed by the state education boards to implement the CBSE curriculum, the Minister told the Legislative Council.
The minister replied to the question raised by the BJP legislator Prasad Lad. He wanted to know whether the Steering Committee has approved the curriculum plan of the CBSE especially when the implementation of the National Education Policy for schools from class 3 to 12 is underway in the state.
“CBSE pattern will be implemented from the academic year 2025-2026 and the government has taken this decision with an aim of improving the quality of students in the state,” said the minister.
His announcement comes days after the Steering Committee had approved the State Curriculum Framework in relation to the school education department.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had reviewed the work of all the departments including the school education department for the next 100 days.
Accordingly, he had expressed confidence in the meeting of the School Education Department that Maharashtra would once again come to the forefront of school education.
The Chief Minister directed that the Education Department should take steps for quality education.
He has also directed the School Education Department about the adoption of the CBSE pattern in the state government schools by making necessary changes.
Business
Bill Gates will support Maha’s digital governance model, Lakhpati Didi project: CM Fadnavis

Mumbai, March 20: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that Microsoft and Gates Foundation will provide support to make Maharashtra a role model in the country in digital governance and right to service, especially when the government has started the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Also, the Gates Foundation has shown its readiness to participate in the Lakhpati Didi initiative to fulfil the state government’s goal of making 25 lakh women entrepreneurs.
CM Fadnavis said this after meeting Microsoft co-founder, renowned entrepreneur and founder of the Gates Foundation Bill Gates.
The chief minister’s office in a release said that the duo also held a positive discussion on the use of artificial intelligence in health, agriculture and infrastructure.
CM Fadnavis said that as Maharashtra is going through a transformation phase, major projects are underway in infrastructure, agriculture, and health.
“Since there is a shortage of doctors in rural areas, the Gates Foundation should cooperate to provide quality health services and facilities. The Budget has also made provision for the use of AI in the health and agriculture sectors,” he added while giving the example of doubling the production of sugarcane in the Pune district using the technology.
CM Fadnavis told Bill Gates that the state government is trying to ensure that farmers have access to electricity during the day and for this, solar power is being used from 2022-23. From 30 per cent of electricity generation, now up to 52 per cent is being generated through solar, so farmers are getting electricity at a lower cost.
He also shared that there is a plan to make all the electricity feeders solar to provide them with electricity for 24 hours.
The Chief Minister also informed that an Innovation City is being set up in an area of 300 acres in Navi Mumbai.
Bill Gates assured to partner in technical assistance along with financial assistance for the Innovation City and other initiatives, according to the release.
Gates Foundation will provide technical and financial support to the state government to contain dengue in Gadchiroli district.
Bill Gates invited the chief minister to Seattle.
Maharashtra
Ruckus in both houses of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly over mysterious death of Disha Salian

Mumbai: After the mysterious suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s manager Disha Salian, there was an uproar in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Vidhan Sabha and the members demanded an inquiry into the matter. The proceedings of the Upper House were adjourned twice, while the proceedings of the Lower House had to be adjourned once for 10 minutes. Disha Salian’s father had filed a petition in the High Court demanding an inquiry into his daughter’s death, after which the ruling members not only created a ruckus in the House over the matter but also demanded action against the accused involved in it.
In the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Legislative Assembly member Amit Sattam said that Disha Salian’s father has suspected suicide and the investigation of the case is not yet complete. Amit Sattam has also demanded that the government take necessary steps and take action against the culprits and investigate.
Minister Nitesh Rane said that the Supreme Court’s guiding principle is present in cases of gang rape and atrocities on women, yet action has not been taken in the Disha Salian case. Is there a separate law for the accused? He said that the Supreme Court has directed that the accused in rape and murder cases should be arrested immediately, so why are these three people being protected? They should be arrested and sent to jail.
When Rane was asked why he did not come for investigation even when he was called by the SIT, he said, “I have doubts about the person who was appointed as the ST officer, Chimaji Udayo. I have written a letter to express my views. Why should I go to the same officer with evidence, so that he can give these evidences to the accused and destroy them?” In this matter, Aditya Thackeray said that what should be done if the work of the House is to be stopped on this issue because we are raising questions on the development of Maharashtra and other issues. Where has Maharashtra been taken?
He said that earlier the proceedings of the House were affected on the Aurangzeb issue, during which a minister had to resign. This is being done to suppress all these things, but Maharashtra has sent you to the House to work. The public will have to answer this.
Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam has ordered to complete the investigation of the Disha Salian case and said that the government will not accept any pressure in this matter and he has also demanded to seek the SIT report on this matter as soon as possible.
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