Politics
Is OBC leader Alpesh Thakor feeling uncomfortable in BJP?
OBC leader and former MLA Alpesh Thakor’s recent statements can’t be ignored. If read between the lines, it seems that Thakor is unhappy in the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Recently while attending a mass-marriage function organised by the Gujarat Thakor Sena, Alpesh Thakor said, “I am going to contest the Radhanpur Assembly seat (Patan district). If any one tries to oust me, I will ensure that those leaders too don’t get chance to contest the elections.”
His remarks were directed at former MLA and BJP leader Lavingji Thakor, who is a contender for the seat in the run-up to the Assembly elections scheduled at the end of this year.
Alpesh Thakor also said, “The state government has failed to strictly implement prohibition.”
Playing down the controversy, Alpesh Thakor told IANS that some party leaders are playing dirty politics and instead of uniting the Koli Thakor community, they are dividing it.
His statements were message to such leaders, and he has no intention of quitting the party, Alpesh Thakor said.
Alpesh Thakor had won from Radhanpur in 2017 on Congress ticket. In 2019, he quit the Congress and joined the BJP. He had contested bypolls from Radhanpur in October 2019, but lost to Congress’ Raghubhai Desai.
Refuting Alpesh Thakor, Lavingji Thakor claimed that if there was any substance in what the former said, people would not have elected him as an Independent MLA from Radhanpur in 1995. He also claimed that he is a local leader, whereas Alpesh Takor is a native of Ahmedabad district.
After 1995, Lavingji Thakor contested from Radhanpur thrice, once each on the ticket of All India Rashtriya Janata Party, Congress and BJP, but lost on all three occasions.
In fact, Radhanpur is a curious constituency. Barring Congress’ Khodidan Zula (1975, 1980 and 1985) and Shankar Chaudhary of the BJP (1998, 2002, 2007), no other leader has ever got re-elected from this seat.
Even veteran leader and former Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, who won the bypolls here in 1997, never contested from Radhanpur again.
For the last few months, there were rumours that the Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena is searching for a safe seat for Alpesh Thakor, who though claims that the outfit launched by him has presence in 176 talukas.
“Gujarat Thakor Sena has around 9,200 committees, and at least 50 families in each village with whom I have direct contact. So the question does not arise of looking for a safe seat,” he said.
The OBC leader has also claimed that he is not just leader of Thakors or the OBC community, but members of other communities as well.
“Under my leadership, Patidars have formed the Patidar Sena in 76 villages of Karamsad Taluka, while Patels from Saurashtra also attend my public meetings in large numbers,” he claimed.
There is no doubt that Alpesh Thakor can influence voters from his community and change the results where Thakors are in dominance, feels Suresh Vanol, senior journalist from Mehsana district.
Vanol said the party did not call Alpesh Thakor to campaign for one seat in Satlasana Taluka panchayat elections which it lost. Even in Gandhinagar municipal elections, the BJP had asked Alpesh Thakor to campaign at last moment.
According to Vanol’s assessment, Alpesh Thakor may change constituency and contest either from Becharaji or Kheralu in Mehsana district.
Maharashtra
The notice issued by Ahlia Nagar Municipal Corporation regarding religious places should be immediately stopped and a period of at least 2 to 3 months should be given: Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai: The proposal that has been approved regarding religious places in Mumbai’s Ahlia Nagar should be immediately stopped. Because a proposal has been made that immediate action should be taken after the 7-day notice issued by the Ahlia Nagar Municipal Corporation regarding religious places, it should be stopped and the concerned organizations and citizens should be given at least 2 to 3 months to submit their documents. This demand was made by Abu Asim Azmi, Mumbai/Maharashtra state president of Samajwadi Party and an MLA in a letter written to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Speaking on the issue, Abu Asim Azmi said that giving permission for only 7 days is neither practical nor fair. Many religious places are decades old, and it takes time to collect their documents and clarify their legal status. It would not be appropriate to take any action without providing a proper opportunity. In this regard, I have written a letter to Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, appealing to him to intervene in this sensitive matter and directing the administration not to take hasty action against any religious place without completing a thorough investigation and legal action. It is the responsibility of the government and the administration to ensure the protection of religious places that are legal and authorized and to take impartial decisions in accordance with the law while respecting the sentiments of all communities and sections. Azmi said that I am confident that the government, understanding the seriousness of the matter, will take a fair, balanced and sensitive decision that will establish social harmony and peace.
National News
Congress criticises BJP MPs for welcoming Dharmendra Pradhan on arrival at Parliament

New Delhi, July 27: The Congress party on Monday criticised the welcome given to former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan by his fellow BJP MPs on Parliament premises, calling the developments “shameful”.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and General Secretary in-charge Communications, took to social media to question whether the BJP considered Pradhan’s work commendable.
“Today, BJP MPs are welcoming former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as if he has achieved some great feat. The country has already seen how, instead of apologising for the paper leak in his resignation, Pradhan accused the students themselves of being misled, and after that, all central ministers praised him on social media. We believe that this entire episode is utterly shameful and a grave insult to the country’s youth,” he said.
“The BJP should make it clear whether, despite the paper leaks, the crumbling education system, the lathi charges on students, and the firing of pellet guns, Pradhan’s work was commendable?” asked the Congress MP.
“If not, then what is this honour for? And if yes, then does the BJP want to send this very message to the country’s youth and students? The country demands answers,” said Ramesh.
Earlier, Pradhan’s arrival at Parliament triggered spontaneous slogan-shouting by his fellow BJP and NDA MPs. As the former Education Minister stepped out of his car, with folded hands, cries of “Dharmendra Pradhan zindabad” rent the air.
There were celebratory scenes around Pradhan as one of the MPs presented him with a traditional headgear and placed a shawl on his shoulders.
Pradhan had stepped down as the Union Education Minister on Saturday following weeks of protest by a social media-driven movement, Cockroach Janta Party, and supporting groups over NEET irregularities.
The CJP concluded its protest soon after Pradhan’s exit from the Union Cabinet.
Pralhad Joshi, who currently serves as the Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, took over the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry following the resignation of Pradhan.
Crime
Class 10 student, who shared dais with Andhra CM at school event, commits suicide

Amaravati, July 27: A Class 10 student, who had shared the dais with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu during a Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting at a government school in Polavaram district just three days ago, has died by suicide on Monday.
Murram Shivani, who sat next to the Chief Minister and spoke during the MPTM 4.0 at Zilla Parishad High School in Rampachodavaram, hanged herself at her grandmother’s house in Irlapalli village.
The girl left behind a handwritten suicide note, apologising to her parents for failing to fulfil their dreams. The reason for her extreme step was not known.
The girl’s parents work at a hotel in Korukonda while she was staying with her grandmother and was studying at Government High School, Rampachodavaram.
Police registered a case and took up investigation.
Shivani, who was said to be active in studies, had attracted the attention of all with her speech at MPTM 4.0 in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. She had expressed her wish to work hard and win the Shining Star Award next year.
After her speech, the Chief Minister had called her and made her sit next to her. He also had a chat with her.
Chief Minister Naidu said he was deeply saddened by the passing away of Murram Shivani.
He ordered officials to conduct a thorough investigation into Shivani’s death.
“It is distressing that Shivani, who had spoken so enthusiastically on stage during the mega parent-teacher meeting in Rampachodavaram, has taken her own life. I recall the words she shared with me that day about her studies and her high aspirations,” the Chief Minister said in a post on ‘X’.
“It is heartbreaking to see a tribal girl with such a promising future lose her life in this manner. Regardless of the underlying reasons, the fact that she is gone before realizing her dreams deeply troubles me,” he said.
“Students and the youth must stand strong in the face of challenges and hardships. I urge everyone not to succumb to pressure, despair, or hopelessness. There is a solution to every problem. Please share your pain and distress with your family, friends, and loved ones. Overcome the pressure and move forward to make your dreams a reality. I want to assure you that the government stands by you in every way,” added the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister and Education Minister Nara Lokesh attended the Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (MPTM) at Zilla Parishad High School at Rampachodavaram on July 24. They interacted with students, parents and teachers. They also had lunch with the students.
The state government has been organising MPTM at government schools across the state to unite parents, teachers and communities for better student progress.
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