Mumbai : The Congress party staged protests across the state, taking to the streets against the reckless leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena, who issued death threats to Opposition leader MP Rahul Gandhi. During this protest, it was demanded that the BJP-Shiv Sena rein in those who threatened Rahul Gandhi and take strict action against them.

In Mira Bhayandar, protest was held under the leadership of in-charge Ramesh Chennithala and state president Nana Patole, Legislative Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat, Opposition Leader Vijay Wadettiwar, former Minister Satej Bunty Patil, Hussain Dalwai, MLA Bhai Jagtap, along with other leaders, office bearers, and hundreds of workers protested, condemning the Taliban-like attitude of the BJP. In Mumbai, a massive protest was held outside the residence of Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar in Colaba under the leadership of Mumbai Congress President MP Varsha Gaikwad. A demand was also made for the suspension of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.

In Pune, a protest was organized in front of the District Collector’s office by the Pune City District Congress Committee. City President Arvind Shinde, MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, former Minister Balasaheb Shivarkar, state Vice President and former MLA Mohan Joshi, state General Secretary Abhay Chhajed, former Mayor Kamal Vyavhare, along with other office bearers and a large number of workers, were present.

In Nashik, under the leadership of District Congress President Shirish Kotwal, a protest was held at the Market Committee Gate, where the effigies of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, BJP leader Anil Bonde, and Tarvinder Singh Marwah were beaten with shoes to express strong condemnation. Market Committee Chairman Sanjay Jadhav, City President Nandkumar Kotwal, and several office bearers were present.

In Jalgaon, the District Congress Committee led a raasta roko protest at Akashwani Chowk under the leadership of City District President Shyam Tayde. Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) also participated. During the protest, demands were made for the arrest of BJP leaders Tarvinder Marwah, Ravneet Bittu, Anil Bonde, and Shinde faction leader Sanjay Gaikwad. State Vice President Pratibha Shinde, former Jalgaon Mayor Jayshree Mahajan, and other workers were present.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a roadblock protest was held in front of the District Collector’s office. City District Congress President Sheikh Yusuf, Seva Dal State President Vilas Autade, State General Secretary Jitendra Dehade, Jagannath Kale, Yogesh Masalge, Ibrahim Pathan, Kiran Patil Dongavkar, and Bhausaheb Jagtap, along with several office bearers, participated.

In Nagpur, former Union Minister Vilas Muttemwar, City President MLA Vikas Thakre, MLA Abhijeet Wanjari, along with hundreds of workers, protested, demanding action against the threat-issuing leaders. Under the leadership of Nashik City District Congress Committee President Adv. Akash Chhajed, the Nashik City District Congress Committee also protested, condemning the reckless leaders. The Kolhapur Congress Committee also protested, denouncing those who issued threats.

Mumbai: Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, the government is on a spree of project inaugurations, announcements, foundation-laying ceremonies, and other events. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to be in Maharashtra’s Vidharbha region for number of events.

Notably, the PM is also expected to be in Maharashtra in the first week of October also for the inauguration of Mumbai Metro 3 phase 1 and Thane Creek bridge.

No Drone Allowed Today

On Friday morning, PM Modi will land in Nagpur city and further fly to Wardha. As per police order, no drone flying is allowed in the region today (September 20) and any drone found, offenders will face strict actions.

Modi will attend the first-anniversary programme of the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme in Wardha and lay the foundation stone for 1,000 acre big PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park in Amravati.

To symbolise the tangible support provided to artisans, he will also distribute credit under the Vishwakarma scheme to 18 beneficiaries across 18 trades. As a tribute to their legacy and contributions to society, the PM will release a commemorative stamp to mark first anniversary of the scheme.

Several Project Inaugurations Today

In Amravati, the PM will lay the foundation stone of ‘PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park’. The 1,000-acre park is being developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as the state implementation agency. The Central government had approved setting up of seven PM MITRA Parks for the textile industry, the official release said.

PM Modi will also launch the ‘Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centre’ scheme of the Maharashtra government. Skill development training centres will be established in renowned colleges across the state to provide training to persons between the age group of 15 to 45, enabling them to become self-reliant and access various employment opportunities.

Around 1,50,000 youths across the state will receive free skill development training each year, it added. The PM will also launch ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme’, under which early-stage support will be given to women-led start-ups in Maharashtra..

Mumbai: Ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections all political parties are gearing up. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has hinted that elections will likely be held in the second week of November while ruling party leaders have been stating that the model code of conduct will be implemented in the next 10-15 days. Consequently, both the Maha Yuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have begun a series of meetings regarding seat sharing.

MVA held a meeting on Wednesday at Bandra’s Sofitel Hotel. Congress state president Nana patole, NCP (SP) state president Jayant patil, Shivsena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut and MP Anil Desai were present for the meeting.

The leaders from all three parties presented lists indicating the strength of candidates in various constituencies. Based on these lists, discussions on seat sharing will take place. Currently, all discussions are at a preliminary level and it has been stated that clarity will emerge in the upcoming meetings.

The MVA will hold a series of meetings for two more days to discuss seat sharing. Shiv Sena (UBT) is likely to contest 17 seats, Congress 14 seats, and NCP (SP) 5 seats in Mumbai. The parties will determine seat sharing across Maharashtra in next 15 days. 

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Calls Meeting 

In preparation for the assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had called a meeting of all NCP legislators and leaders at Devgiri bungalow on Wednesday. Ajit Pawar provided inputs on issues related to disputes with allies in the Maha Yuti, election strategies, and the distribution of posts in various boards and corporations.

As per sources, following Amit Shah’s instructions for BJP leaders to align with the NCP, Ajit Pawar has advised NCP legislators to coordinate with alliance partners.

There is dissatisfaction within the NCP regarding the appointments in various boards and corporations, and Pawar guided on it. There were requests for lists of pending work through the planning department, but funds have not been provided to legislators since July.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly placed a hold on these funds and MLA’s raised their dissatisfaction on this matter sources said.