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Congress should not undermine regional parties: Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena

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Mumbai, Jan 13: Amid talks of the disintegration of INDIA bloc and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the Shiv Sena(UBT) in its mouthpiece ‘Saamna’ editorial took a dig at the Congress party saying that it should not undermine the regional parties as it alone cannot fight on its own in many states.

“Congress does not have the strength to fight, but it does not stop putting its fingers in the bowl of the regional parties. Its results were seen in a state like Maharashtra. One truth that should be accepted is that the allies who entered the BJP’s “cave” have lost their existence. Congress should not behave with that attitude. Congress is and will remain a national party. There is no reason for anyone to have any doubts about that,” says the editorial.

“The earthworms or frogs formed during the monsoon season are destroyed as soon as the monsoon season ends. We are of the opinion that alliances like ‘INDIA’ formed for elections should not have a short life and should always be dedicated to national service. Congress and AAP may have a face-off in Delhi, but projecting Kejriwal as an anti-national during the poll campaign issue is not in keeping with the Congress culture. If Congress ‘alone’ has the ability to defeat the Modi mentality, no one will stop them. They should definitely do it. Still, winning a state like Maharashtra in a mafia-like manner shows what kind of politics the BJP and its affiliated gangs are winning. To fight this aberration, we need a thunderbolt of unity, leadership of the INIDIA bloc and if possible, a convenor. Otherwise, everything will go to waste. The All India National Congress should think about whether to let that happen,” reads the editorial requesting Congress to take an initiative to further strengthen the opposition alliance.

“There is an INDIA bloc in the country and MVA in Maharashtra but there is a feeling among the people that they are in a mess, who is responsible for it? When these two alliances were formed and started working, enthusiasm was created in every constituent party in the alliance and the public mind as a whole. Indians were confident that a force had been created to fight against the arbitrary administration and corruption imposed on the country. The feeling that Modi could be defeated in the country and the illegal government in Maharashtra started to burn like lightning, but are these two alliances now becoming dull and inactive? This is not good for the country,” reads the editorial.

It further adds, “The tree of INDIA bloc does not seem to be blooming. Omar Abdullah of the National Conference says that the last meeting of this alliance was held on June 1, 2024. After that, the Assembly elections of Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand were held. Congress could not make a big leap in these elections. Congress suffered a major defeat in Haryana and Maharashtra. After that, questions started being asked about the existence of the INDIA bloc. Mamata Banerjee even publicly said that she formed the INDIA Alliance and now if she gets the opportunity, she is ready to lead this alliance. This means that the leadership of the Congress is not acceptable to anyone. Lalu Prasad Yadav also expressed similar views.”

“In various states such as Punjab and Delhi, AAP and Congress are fighting against each other. In Kerala, there is a battle between Congress and the Left. In West Bengal, Congress will continue to fight against Trinamool and there is no alternative. Because every regional party has to maintain its own role, workers and existence, the Congress party is not ready to understand this. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is a seasoned and experienced leader but asks who will take the responsibility of restoring the disarray that has arisen in the INDIA bloc,” read the editorial.

The editorial mentions that some of the parties in the INDIA bloc today were once members of the National Democratic Alliance. “What does the experience of that alliance then tell us? Whether it was in power or not, when a national issue arose, an ‘NDA’ meeting was called in Delhi. Often, leaders like Pramod Mahajan and L.K. Advani would go to that state and discuss with the party chiefs there. The NDA also had a strong convener. For a long time, a senior leader like George Fernandes was in this position and this convenor would interact and discuss with the heads of all the constituent parties, and convene the meetings with dignity. Sometimes Atal Bihari Vajpayee would chair such meetings or L.K Advani would. Therefore, it must be accepted that the relationship within that alliance was not superficial, but rather built on family ties.”

Against this backdrop, the Shiv Sena(UBT) in the editorial makes a strong pitch for a strong INDIA bloc, saying that “elections will come and go but insisting that there is a need to put an end to jealousy, hatred and gossip to take on those who hijacked the elections and taken control of the country”.

Maharashtra

Mumbai’s Bandra Worli Sea Link Toll Rates To Go Up By 18% From April 1

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has announced an 18% increase in toll charges for Mumbai’s Bandra Worli Sea Link from April 1. According to media reports, this hike in toll rates is limited to-one way travel.

After the implementation of the surge rates, cars and jeeps, from Monday, will have to pay Rs 100, up from the current Rs 85.

On the other hand, minibus, tempos, and similar vehicles will have to pay Rs 160. Earlier, these vehicles paid Rs 130.

While two-axle trucks currently pay Rs 175, they will have to spend Rs 210 for a one-way trip from tomorrow.

The old rates were put in place in April 2021. The new rates will be in effect for three years – from April 1 to March 31, 2027.

The report added that the MSRDC officials announced a rebate of 10% for motorists and 20% on the purchase of booklets carrying 50 and 100 toll coupons in advance, respectively.

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link was opened to the public in 2009. The cable-stayed bridge was named after former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi. It connects Mumbai’s Worli and Bandra, making it easy for commuters to avoid congestion in Dadar, Mahim, Prabhadevi, and Worli neighbourhoods.

In a big relief to commuters, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the Mumbai coastal road. The 9.6-km high-speed corridor also connects Worli with Marine Drive.

The coastal road has been constructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

It proposes to connect the Marine Drive area in south Mumbai to Kandivali, a western suburb, via the existing Bandra Worli Sea Link and is expected to ease Mumbai’s northbound traffic.

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Maharashtra

Three lakh pilgrims visit Haji Ali in Mumbai on Eid

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Mumbai: Eid-ul-Fitr passed off peacefully in Mumbai. Muslims celebrated Eid with simplicity and protested against the Waqf Bill by offering namaz with black bands on their arms. After Eid-ul-Fitr, a huge crowd of pilgrims thronged Haji Ali and Mahim dargahs. Three lakh pilgrims visited Haji Ali, for which the police had made tight security arrangements.

More than 300,000 pilgrims visited Haji Ali Dargah on the occasion of Basi Eid 2025. As per the preparations made with the Haji Ali Dargah Trust

200 volunteers

25 swimmers

78 CCTV cameras, CCTV camera operators, public announcement were arranged on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. First aid facilities were available on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. Heavy police force was deployed for search, barricades and ropes were also arranged. Eid and Basi Eid passed off peacefully in Mumbai and no untoward incident took place. On the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar, the police had made additional security arrangements at dargahs and mosques.

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Crime

Mumbai Malad Gudi Padwa violence: Three arrested, situation peaceful, police alert, DCP Asmita Hotel

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Mumbai: After the violence on Gudi Padwa in Malad, Mumbai, the situation is now peaceful here, but despite this, politics has also started on this issue and an attempt has been made to spread communal tension by giving it a Hindu-Muslim color. On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, a local youth attacked five minors passing in front of Noorani Mosque. In this case, the police has controlled the situation and so far three people have been arrested. A case of rioting has also been registered against them. The crowd is also being identified. The accused have been identified on the basis of CCTV and three people have been arrested. Along with this, after getting control of the situation, the police has put Malad on high alert and is also keeping an eye on communal elements.

Now communal elements have started trying to spoil the atmosphere in Mumbai, so the police is also keeping an eye on social media. Local DCP Smita Patil said that the situation in Malad Maloni is peaceful and action is being taken against the miscreants. Arrests are also continuing after examining CCTV footage and other footage.

So far three people have been arrested in this case, one of whom is Sharan, who attacked the minor. In this case, Vishwa Hindu Parishad Bajrang Dal has given an ultimatum to the police that if they do not arrest the accused as soon as possible, they will protest. In this case, the DCP has made tight security arrangements at all places and has also appealed not to pay attention to rumors and not to share unverified videos or controversial posts on social media. The police is on alert to maintain law and order in Mumbai and Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar has issued strict instructions.

Sanjay Nirupam’s venomous attack on the violence on Gaddi Padwa

After the violence on Gudi Padwa, Sanjay Nirupam has made many serious allegations against the police, he has accused the police of delaying action and protecting the accused. He has questioned the action of Mumbai Police and said that the main accused Sharan and his mother do not allow Hindus to celebrate their festivals and their hooliganism continues here. Sanjay Nirupam has called Muslims Jihadis. Sanjay Nirupam said that the police took action when pressure was put on them.

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