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Maha municipal polls: Dy CM Ajit Pawar, BJP engage in war of words over corruption slurs

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Mumbai, Jan 5: Although they remain ruling partners in Maharashtra, NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the BJP are engaged in a war of words over the politically-sensitive corruption issue.

Ahead of the elections to the 29 municipal corporations slated for January 15, the relationship of the Mahayuti has hit a low, with open friction being the order of the day.

In a surprising shift, Dy CM Ajit Pawar has launched a direct offensive against the BJP’s past governance.

He recently alleged that the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), which was ruled by the BJP from 2017 to 2022, was “infested with corruption” and pushed into debt.

Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan hit back, advising Pawar to “introspect” before leveling charges. Chavan warned that if the BJP started making counter-allegations, it would create “serious difficulties” for Pawar, hinting at past investigations into the Deputy CM’s conduct.

Revenue Minister and BJP incharge for municipal corporation elections Chandrashekhar Bawankule stood firmly behind Ravindra Chavan and also issued a stern warning and “advice” to Ajit Pawar.

Bawankule’s response focussed on three main points including observing restraint, honouring the alliance dharma, and avoiding personal attacks.

Bawankule reminded Ajit Pawar that as members of the Mahayuti alliance, a specific coordination agreement had been made before the January 15 civic polls.

He stated that all partners had agreed that even if they contested local body elections separately, they would not criticize each other.

He explicitly noted that Ajit Pawar had “broken this agreement” by attacking the BJP’s record in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Bawankule publicly advised him to “observe restraint in the future.”

Bawankule dismissed Ajit Pawar’s allegations of corruption and debt in the BJP-led municipal corporations and argued that the development of cities like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad was “derailed” due to historical mismanagement by the NCP.

He added that the Devendra Fadnavis and Modi governments were actually responsible for putting these cities back on track.

He suggested that if Ajit Pawar has legitimate concerns about corruption, he should “approach investigating agencies” rather than making political statements in the media.

Bawankule hinted that the BJP has avoided bringing up Pawar’s own controversial past (including the irrigation scam allegations) for the sake of the alliance, but warned that continued attacks could force the BJP to “start speaking,” which would create “serious difficulties” for Ajit Pawar.

The Deputy CM had, on Monday, asked the BJP to follow the alliance dharma.

This friction marks the most serious public rift in the Mahayuti since Ajit Pawar joined in 2023.

Bawankule’s comments highlight the BJP’s growing frustration with Ajit Pawar’s attempt to play a “double role” — acting as a Deputy CM in the state while acting like an Opposition leader at the municipal level.

Crime

Mumbai Police Rebuts Social Media Claims About Missing Children; Warns Action Against Rumours

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A day after reports claimed that 12 minor children went missing within 36 hours across Mumbai, the Mumbai Police on Monday issued a statement rejecting the claims and warning social media users against spreading rumours related to missing or abducted children.

In a post on X, the Mumbai Police said, “Some social media accounts are spreading false information and rumours regarding missing and abducted children. We completely deny these claims.”

The police added that the process has been initiated to register FIRs and take strict legal action against individuals deliberately circulating false information to create fear among the public.

The clarification came a day after Media reported that 12 minor children, including eight girls, had gone missing within a 36-hour span. The unusually high number had triggered concerns about the possible presence of organised child trafficking networks in the city.

While some cases were linked to family disputes or children running away from home, a human trafficking angle was suspected in others.

According to Mumbai Police records, 145 children went missing between June and December 2025, including 93 girls. Between November 1 and December 6 alone, 82 missing cases were registered, with adolescents accounting for more than half. These included 41 girls and 13 boys under 18. Police said several children were later traced and reunited with their families.

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Crime

‘Drunk’ SUV Driver Ploughs Into Crowd After Hitting Several Vehicles In Sangli; 11 Injured

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Chaos unfolded in Maharashtra’s Sangli on Sunday when an SUV ploughed into a crowd after ramming several vehicles on Tilak Road near the Ganpati Temple. According to reports, 11 people, including five police personnel, were injured in the incident.

The accused driver has been identified as Praniket Dattatrey Panchal from the Barshi Road area in Latur. The vehicle first hit several vehicles before ploughing into a crowded stretch where people were walking to attend the Krushnamai Festival.

After the incident, the driver was pulled out of the vehicle by an angry mob and assaulted. The crowd also vandalised the SUV.

The accused was later rescued by the police.

According to reports, the driver was under the influence of alcohol when incident occured. The injured were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Police stated that the driver has been booked and further investigation is underway.

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National News

Fierce govt-Oppn showdown in LS over Rahul Gandhi’s mention of ex-Army chief’s unpublished memoir (Lead)

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New Delhi, Feb 2: The Lok Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes and a huge pandemonium with opposition and treasury benches getting into a face-off over the citing of an ‘unpublished’ book by former Army Chief Mukund Naravane.

LS Speaker Om Birla’s repeated attempts to bring order in the House failed utterly as the Congress party persisted with demands to quote Naravane’s memoirs while the government strongly objected, terming it ‘theatrics’.

The ruckus broke out after the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, led the opposition charge during the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President’s address on Monday.

The Congress MP started his speech by targeting the Centre over an article in a magazine, based on the memoirs of former Army chief Naravane. This invited a quick and direct counter from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and also Home Minister Amit Shah.

Gandhi said that the BJP questions the Congress party’s patriotism but blocks a book penned by a top officer of the Armed Forces.

As he started citing lines from the memoir, loud protests erupted from the treasury benches.

Rajnath Singh strongly objected to Gandhi’s quoting from the book, stating that the claims were vague as the book had not even published.

“What is the government scared of?” asked Rahul while doubling down his charge.

LS Speaker Om Birla advised the opposition members to refrain from citing any unverified subject, stating that this would amount to a breach of parliamentary norms.

As the opposition resorted to slogan-shouting, prompting a counter from HM Amit Shah. He urged the Speaker to direct the LoP to stop misleading the House with falsified claims.

The ruckus over Gandhi’s claims, where he stated that Chinese tanks were hurtling towards the Indian border, continued unabated as the opposition insisted on raising these charges while the treasury benches, including Union Ministers, erupted in protest.

The parliamentary rulebook was also cited by some BJP members, but the chaos and pandemonium persisted.

At one point, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav also rallied behind Rahul Gandhi and stated that since the China border is a sensitive matter, the Congress leader should be allowed to speak on the same.

Congress MPs also pointed fingers at the Speaker, claiming that the ruling party lawmakers have quoted false claims on the Nehru rule multiple times, but they were always given a free hand.

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