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Frowning at Congress’ ‘leakage’, Shiv Sena whacked by a ‘political cloudburst’!

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Uddhav-Thackeray

Exactly a month ago (May 21), the Shiv Sena had expressed serious concerns over the badly “leaking” Congress with so many leaders deserting the party, and how the youth of India would lose confidence in the grand old party.

A month later, the Sena has been knocked down and practically washed out, by an unexpected “political cloudburst” that hit the saffron party last Monday (June 20-21) night, with a series of nightmarish developments in quick succession.

The Sena was rudely shaken, when it became clear by early Tuesday morning that a major storm in the form of a “MLAs’ revolt” was raging and threatened to uproot the 30-month-old Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress.

Ironically, on May 21, the Sena was distressed over the desertion by leaders like Sunil Jakhar and Hardik Patel in quick succession, preceded by Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada.

“The Congress’ condition is like a cloudburst. The problem is where to put the patch and seal it. The leaks started on the concluding day of the party’s recent Chintan Shivir in Rajasthan,” the sagely Sena had said.

Perhaps unknown to the Sena, it was around that time the group of rebels led by senior party leader and Minister Eknath Shinde were busy hatching their own little political deluge – with a flood of outgoing MLAs – that now threatens to sink the MVA.

Sena’s anxiety for its ally came on a day when the Congress observed the death anniversary of the late ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (May 21), and ironically, the “Hindutva” party’s own countdown to a probable diminution started on the Summer Solstice Day (June 21).

There is seething rage and helplessness at various levels in the Sena, how it failed to catch the signals of a rebellion brewing up right under its noses, why it could not plug the “leaks” in time after they were belatedly detected and finally culminated into a flash flood within barely 48 hours.

There are reports that the State Intelligence Department (SID) and other agencies had sounded out drab warnings around March-April on the developments, but the MVA failed to take them seriously or react.

Some Congress and NCP senior leaders were visibly irked over how such a large chunk of MLAs could “disappear” into the dark night of June 20-21 at a single shot, undetected and unsuspected, and by the time the grim reality dawned on them the next morning, it was already “too late”.

A Congress leader pointed out that the most shocking aspect was the “Sena MLAs’ quietly slipping off”, taking advantage of the fracas witnessed during the MLCs polls results on Monday and the boisterous celebrations that followed.

One leader said that it has now surfaced how the MLAs sneaked out citing bland reasons like “going to the loo,” “getting a headache”, “not well”, “upset tummy” etc, and vanished from the “party scene” altogether.

A Congress leader even questioned how the MLAs’ police escorts got no whiff of the murky goings-on, why they did not alert the police control or other authorities especially while crossing the district or state borders, and perhaps helped nip the rebellion in the bud.

The current status is the Sena is left with around 18 MLAs, the rebel group is claiming the support of around 40-plus MLAs, enough for a vertical split and joining any potential new dispensation that may materialise.

Barely 48 hours after the shock revolt, the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray quietly vacated his official residence and shifted to his private home, amid speculation that he would rather quit – to save the party from a split and the government from a downfall.

Watching the party and government slipping out of the hands like sand, the Sena, along with NCP-Congress are making all-out efforts to salvage the situation or prepare to sit in the Opposition – a classic scenario of hoping for the best and preparing for the worst!

Crime

Thane Crime: Man Attacked With Sword In Kalyan For Dispute Over Construction Of Toilet Near House

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Mumbai: In a separate incident, a 15-year-old boy has been detained for allegedly murdering his co-worker, 22-year-old Kaisar Azgar Ali, in Bhiwandi. The incident occurred on Wednesday, May 28, in the night at a worksite in Mankoli village, where both were employed as carpenters.

According to police, a minor argument escalated into a violent attack. The minor allegedly first struck Ali with a hammer, then used a plywood grinder to fatally injure him, slitting his neck and shoulder. Investigating Officer D.K. Kadam stated that the minor had been upset with Ali’s behaviour at the site and the situation turned violent after Ali allegedly struck him during the altercation.

The minor fled the scene, but police were alerted by the house owner and contractor who discovered the crime. A panchnama was conducted and the boy was located, detained and presented before the Juvenile Justice Board. He was remanded to an observation home. Ali was rushed to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Thane: A 24-year-old man, Vikrant Jadhav, was brutally attacked with a sword in Umbarde, Kalyan West on Sunday. The assault is believed to be the result of an ongoing land dispute. According to reports citing police sources, Jadhav was fetching water when he was ambushed and attacked. He is currently receiving treatment for serious injuries at Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan.

The victim’s father, Vijay Jadhav, has accused members of the neighbouring Gaikwad family of orchestrating the attack. The two families have reportedly been at loggerheads for years over property issues. Vijay had previously filed a police complaint against the Gaikwads, alleging that they had threatened to kill his family if he did not halt construction of a toilet adjacent to their home, reported Hindustan Times.

The Khadakpada police have registered a case under Section 118 (causing hurt with dangerous weapons) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and are currently investigating the matter. Efforts are underway to identify all the assailants and verify the allegations of prior threats and extortion.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis To Hold High-Level Law And Order Meeting Ahead Of Eid al-Adha Celebrations

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Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will convene a high-level law and order meeting ahead of Eid al-Adha at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, according to sources from the Chief Minister’s Office.

The meeting, scheduled for Monday evening, aims to maintain law and order in the state.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, on the controversy surrounding animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha, Maharashtra State Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan emphasised the importance of adhering to Islamic principles and local laws to maintain communal harmony.

Pyare Khan said, “… We should follow the concept of Hazrat Ibrahim Ali Salam. No one should suffer from our sacrifice. This is the concept of Islam, whatever we do should not hurt anyone else… We will direct the administration that if anyone has no problem, then it should be done… Nothing should be done to harm mutual brotherhood… You should follow the rules of the country where you live… In Maharashtra, there is a ban on bovine meat, so the sacrifice of a bovine should not be done… Camels and goats are sacrificed in different countries… We have to make sure that the sacrifices of only those animals are made, which are allowed…”

Eid Al-Adha, or Bakra Eid, is a holy occasion called the ‘festival of sacrifice’ and is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. It marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Eid al-Adha or Bakra Eid is expected on 6th June in most Islamic countries this year.

The festival is an occasion of joy and peace, where people celebrate with their families, let go of past grudges, and make meaningful connections with one another. It commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice everything for God.

According to the Quran, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to make something else as a ‘great sacrifice’. In the Old Testament, a ram is sacrificed instead of the son. To mark this occasion, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s obedience with the symbolic sacrifice of a lamb, goat, cow, camel, or another animal that is then divided into threes to be shared equally among family, friends, and the needy.

Around the world, Eid traditions and festivities vary, and many countries have unique cultural approaches to this important festival.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Cyber Fraud: 31-Year-Old IIT Engineer Defrauded Of ₹14.95 Lakh In Online Loan Scam; FIR Registered

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Mumbai: An IIT engineer lost ₹14.95 lakhs in an online fraud. The scammer gained access to his mobile phone, took loans from various financial companies, and used his ICICI Bank credit card to defraud him. A case was registered against an unidentified individual for allegedly committing the fraud on May 28.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Deepak W, 31, resides in Powai and works as a Senior Project Engineer at IIT Powai. On February 20, he received a call from Credito Twenty Four, a financial company. An employee of the company informed him that he had taken a loan of ₹13,500 and had failed to pay the EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment). When he replied that he had not taken any such loan, the company cross-checked his Aadhaar card, PAN card, and other details—which all matched his personal information.

Deepak grew suspicious and checked his CIBIL score, which reflects an individual’s creditworthiness. He discovered that, in his name, the scammer had taken loans from three financial companies. Two of them were identified as Poonawalla Fincorp, from which a loan of ₹3 lakhs was taken, and Kissht Financial Services, from which a loan of ₹80,000 was drawn. Additionally, the scammer had used his ICICI Bank credit card for unauthorised transactions.

The complaint mentioned that his phone had not been hacked, he had not received any suspicious messages, and he did not recall clicking on any link or downloading any app by mistake. He believes the scammer somehow accessed his mobile, took loans in his name, and used his credit card, defrauding him of ₹14.95 lakhs. The fraudulent transactions reportedly occurred between January 8 and January 19.

He filed an online complaint with the Cyber Police. The Western Cyber Police registered an FIR under Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 319(2) (cheating by personation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act.

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