The uproar during the election for the post of president of Mumbai’s Satara Zilla Parishad had a huge impact in the legislature on Monday. Shiv Sena MLAs became quite aggressive on this issue. As soon as Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai raised the issue in the Legislative Council, Deputy Speaker Neelam Gorhe immediately ordered the suspension of Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi. After this, Shiv Sena MLAs sat on the steps of the legislature and protested against Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi and the manner in which the elections to Satara Zilla Parishad were held. At that time, Shiv Sena MLAs raised loud slogans. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis looked quite angry due to the protest of Shiv Sena MLAs. After all this, he reached the house and spoke to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shambhuraj Desai. After all this, a round of talks began between Shiv Sena and BJP leaders to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, it is understood that there was a phone conversation between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. At that time, Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his displeasure over the steps of the Shiv Sena MLA on the Vidhan Bhavan. Then Eknath Shinde immediately raised a counter question. Eknath Shinde expressed his displeasure over the behavior of BJP MLA Jay Kumar Gaur in Satara. It is understood that Eknath Shinde asked Devendra Fadnavis if the Shiv Sena MLA’s protest on the steps was not right, so was Jay Kumar Gaur’s behavior right. Now it is understood that a meeting will be held between Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis soon regarding this dispute. Sources also know that behind-the-scenes activities are going on to ensure harmony between the two parties. Shiv Sena ministers and MLAs became aggressive against the misbehavior in Satara. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also expressed his displeasure over this incident. He said that the secondary treatment being given to the ruling ministers and MLAs is unbearable. Not only this, the Shiv Sena minister also expressed his position to Eknath Shinde that we will resign. The MLAs and ministers said that this should be considered because we are constantly being suppressed and strangled.
The total number of seats in Sitara Zilla Parishad is 65.

BJP 27, NCP 20, Shiv Sena 15, Congress 1, Independent 2. During the Zilla Parishad elections in Sitara, Shambhuraj Desai made serious allegations of misbehavior and threats to the police, after which a ruckus has started in the House as well. Shiv Sena took an aggressive stance and protested on the steps of the Assembly, due to which there have now been rumors of differences between Shiv Sena and BJP, while efforts have also been made to resolve these differences. This claim has been made by political sources. Now Shiv Sena and BJP have come face to face on this issue.

Mumbai, March 23: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray, on Monday expressed profound disgust over the “hideous details” emerging from the self-proclaimed “royal astrologer,” Ashok Kharat case, questioning the moral decay of a state once defined by the legacy of seers and social reformers.

He highlighted the stark contrast between the Maharashtra of icons like Sant Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, and Gadge Baba, and the current reality where “vile individuals” like Kharat allegedly operate under political patronage.

“We showcased the rich traditions of Maharashtra to the youth — from the spiritual cultivation of the Marathi mind by Prabodhankar Thackeray to the intellectual depth of Lokmanya Tilak. To see modern leaders abandon logic and ‘Gita Rahasya’ to fall at the feet of a man like Kharat is not just unfortunate; it is terrifying,” Raj Thackeray said in his post on X.

Raj Thackeray’s post pointed out a “tragic paradox” wherein many sitting MLAs who may be implicated in this scandal are the very individuals who passed the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act in December 2013. This “moral downfall” suggests that the pursuit of power has replaced the commitment to rationalism.

Raj Thackeray further highlighted a disturbing pattern in the state’s political hierarchy including the power chase, the fear of displacement and bureaucratic collusion. “A desperate scramble for tickets, followed by an obsession with securing ministerial berths. Constant anxiety over losing positions to new allies, leading leaders to seek “miraculous” interventions from self-styled godmen. Allegations that certain officials have become “planners and advisors” to ministers solely to remain close to the corridors of power,” he remarked.

While acknowledging Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ claim that the government unearthed the case, Raj Thackeray said the statement raises sharp questions regarding the timing.

“If the government wants credit for the investigation, they must also accept responsibility for the Intelligence failure that allowed this to happen under their watch,” Raj Thackeray commented.

He further stated, “There are growing whispers that the case is being used as a political tool to ‘clip the wings’ of ambitious rivals, with fears that the investigation might be shelved once political surrenders are secured.”

Raj Thackeray issued a stern warning to the Press. ”Do not become pawns in this ‘Dhobi-pachhad’ (wrestling-move) politics. Do not let this case rest until Kharat and his patrons face the harshest punishment.”

He also warned the citizens, “Despite our traditions of Kirtan and Dnyaneshwari, if we continue to elect such representatives, the future of Maharashtra is in peril.”

Raj Thackeray concluded with a vow to continue educating the younger generation about the true, progressive identity of Maharashtra, urging the state to reject the “shamelessness” of those who trade ethics for political survival.

Panaji, March 23: The South Goa Police arrested 20-year-old Soham Sushant Naik in the wee hours of Monday following an intense public outcry over an alleged sex scandal involving 25 to 30 minor girls. Naik, a resident of Madegal-Cacora and the son of a BJP Curchorem Municipal councillor, was taken into custody after a mob of concerned citizens and local leaders picketed the police station.

The investigation suggests a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning the last three years. According to preliminary reports, the BJP corporator’s son allegedly engaged in sexual relations with numerous minors, filming the encounters and subsequently using the footage to threaten the victims into silence.

The scandal came to light last week after Soham Sushant Naik allegedly boasted about his actions during a social gathering, showing explicit videos of the victims to his associates. As rumours of the sexual abuse recordings spread through South Goa, local tension reached a boiling point.

However, before this, the case was being discussed in South Goa for the last few days. Local citizens gathered at the Kudchade police station on Sunday night seeking action as the case was linked to a local BJP corporator. Finally, the police took the corporator’s son Soham Naik into custody.

The action came after the accused showed some videos to his friends at a drinking party last week. This led to the revelation of the years of alleged sexual abuse of minors by the BJP leader’s son.

On Sunday, Curchorem residents had marched to the police station demanding a fair probe into the alleged sex-racket videos involving minors.

The protestors had warned of a bandh if police failed to act immediately and arrest the accused within 48 hours. The residents had also demanded that the police register a suo motu FIR in the case rather than wait for victims to come forward.

State Congress president Amit Patkar demanded that the government step in, take suo motu cognisance, and order a prompt, impartial, and time-bound enquiry into the horrific case.

The South Goa Police are currently investigating the digital evidence and determining the full scale of the exploitation of the minor girls by Soham Sushant Naik.

Soham Sushant Naik remains in custody as forensic teams work to recover the alleged videos used for blackmailing the minor girls.