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BREAKING: Mumbai Mayor Post Reserved For ‘General Woman’ Category; BJP-Led Mahayuti Set To Claim BMC Throne

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Mumbai: The high-stakes race for the ‘First Citizen’ of Mumbai has entered its final lap. Following the high-voltage Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections held on January 15, the Urban Development Department on Thursday conducted the much-anticipated lottery at the Mantralaya (state secretariat) in Mumbai to determine the reservation for the Mayor’s post.

In a draw that has kept the city’s political corridors on edge, the post of Mumbai Mayor has been officially reserved for the ‘General Woman’ category for the upcoming term. This announcement sets the stage for the formal mayoral election scheduled for January 28, where the newly elected 227 corporators will cast their votes.

The reservation announcement comes on the heels of a historic shift in Mumbai’s political landscape. For the first time in nearly three decades, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has lost its absolute dominance over the BMC. According to the final results declared on January 16, the BJP with 89 seats emerged as the single largest party, its ally, Shinde Sena, secured 29 seats.

In the opposition, Shiv Sena UBT won 65 seats, MNS bagged 6 seats, taking the Thackeray alliance tally to 71. Indian National Congress secured 24 seats, while others, including parties like AIMIM, NCP, etc bagged 14 seats.

With a total of 118 seats, the BJP-Shinde alliance (Mahayuti) has successfully crossed the majority mark of 114, positioning them to install a Mayor of their choice.

While the Mahayuti alliance holds a slim majority, the reservation category of ‘General Woman’ will now dictate which specific corporators are eligible for the top post. Reports quoting sources indicate that internal discussions between CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde are already underway to decide whether the BJP will keep the Mayor’s seat or offer it to the Shinde Sena for the first 2.5-year term.

Meanwhile, the opposition remains watchful. Uddhav Thackeray, while addressing his 65 winning corporators at Matoshree, claimed that the ‘Marathi Manoos’ will not forgive the betrayal of Mumbai, hinting that the opposition might field a strong candidate if the arithmetic allows for any cross-voting or strategic alliances.

With the category now public, parties are expected to finalise their nominations by the weekend. The Municipal Commissioner will soon issue a gazette notification, followed by the formal filing of nomination papers. All eyes now move to the BMC headquarters at CSMT, where the new Mayor will be elected through a simple majority vote on January 28.

National News

Mumbai: Woman, 21-year-old biker killed in high-speed collision on Mahim Causeway

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New Delhi, July 29: A 50-year-old woman and a 21-year-old motorcyclist were killed after a speeding motorcycle hit the woman while she was crossing the road on Mumbai Mahim Causeway on Tuesday night, police said.

According to Mahim Police, the accident occurred at around 9:20 p.m. on General Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg near Mahim Causeway. The deceased have been identified as Mangala Tandel (50) and Dhruv Manoj Gurav (21), both residents of Mahim.

Police said Mangala Tandel was crossing the road along with her two daughters to visit a relative who lived on the opposite side when a speeding KTM motorcycle allegedly struck her. The impact left both Tandel and the rider critically injured.

Mangala’s husband, Ashok Tandel, who works with Bank of Baroda, told police that he was at home when he heard a loud crash. Rushing outside, he found his wife and the motorcycle rider lying seriously injured on the road, with the KTM motorcycle at the scene.

With the help of local residents, Mangala was rushed to Raheja Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, the injured rider, identified as Dhruv Gurav, was initially taken to Bhabha Hospital before being shifted to Raheja Hospital for further treatment. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment, police said.

Mahim Police said they are awaiting the rider’s blood sample report to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

Based on a complaint filed by Ashok Tandel, Mahim Police have registered a case against Dhruv Manoj Gurav under Sections 106(1) and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Police alleged that Gurav was riding the motorcycle in a rash and negligent manner at high speed, leading to the fatal collision.

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Crime

Hyderabad Police officer suspended on allegation of sexually exploiting woman

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Hyderabad, July 29: Station House Officer (SHO) of Jubilee Hills Police Station in Hyderabad has been suspended following allegations of sexually exploiting a woman and blackmailing and threatening her.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar issued orders suspending Station House Officer U. Srinivasulu Reddy. An announcement to this effect was made late on Tuesday night.

Following the allegations by a 31-year-old woman from Sangareddy district, the officer was sent to the Vacancy Reserve. After the preliminary investigation, the Commissioner ordered his suspension, pending a departmental inquiry.

The woman had complained to the Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand that Srinivasulu sexually assaulted her, forced her to undergo an abortion and threatened her. She also accused him of physically assaulting her.

She alleged that the SHO was blackmailing her by threatening to post her personal videos and demanding that she pay Rs 2 crore. She claimed she had paid several thousands of rupees on different occasions.

The incident dates back to 2021, when she approached Ameenpur police station over a family dispute. Srinivasulu was then serving as an inspector there. She alleged that he later contacted her regarding the case and gradually demanded sexual favours.

The woman alleged that Srinivasulu later asked her to visit his residence in KPHB and, when she refused, he threatened to come to her house. She alleged that he later sexually assaulted her at his residence. She also claimed that he took her to a hospital when she became pregnant, where she underwent an abortion.

The woman also alleged that Srinivasulu had paid Rs 25 lakh to get posted as Jubilee Hills SHO.

Reddy, who was posted as SHO of Jubilee Hills just four months ago, denied the allegations. He reportedly told senior officials that the woman threatened him and extorted money from him.

Police are likely to record the statements of both the suspended officer and the complainant as part of the investigation into the allegations.

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Crime

Karnataka MLA threatens to destroy LoP Rahul Gandhi’s family like Babri Masjid; FIR registered

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Bengaluru, July 29: Karnataka Police on Wednesday registered an FIR against BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna after he allegedly said that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi’s family would be “destroyed” in the same manner as the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992.

The FIR was registered by the Udupi Town Police Station based on a complaint filed by Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, president of the Udupi District Congress Committee. Police have invoked Sections 57, 192, 196(2), 352, 353(2), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Addressing a public programme organised by the BJP in Udupi, Suvarna threatened the Congress leadership, stating: “If you continue to enact such dramas, just as our party workers destroyed the Babri Masjid in 1992 when our sentiments were hurt, the Congress dynasty and Rahul Gandhi’s family will likewise be destroyed.”

The remarks have triggered a major political controversy in Karnataka, with the Congress accusing the BJP of resorting to hate speech and intimidation. Video clips of the speech have since gone viral on social media, prompting demands for immediate legal action.

KPCC Working President and MLC, Manjunatha Bhandary, said the Karnataka government had taken the matter seriously and would ensure that strict action is taken in accordance with the law. He described Suvarna’s statements as “hateful, derogatory and provocative” and said they were unbecoming of a public representative who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution.

Bhandary said that the BJP was attempting to divert attention from the NEET question paper leak controversy and the nationwide protests over the issue by targeting LoP Rahul Gandhi through personal attacks. He also criticised other BJP legislators who were present at the event for failing to condemn the remarks.

“The silence of other elected representatives present at the programme may be construed by the public as tacit support for such statements,” Bhandary said, adding that political differences cannot justify defamation, hate speech or threats.

He further stated that the remarks posed a threat to communal harmony and law and order, particularly in the coastal region, and said he would take up the matter with the State Home Minister to seek appropriate directions for expediting the investigation.

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