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Maharashtra

Maha tussle: MVA, BJP counting on the magic ‘power’ of numbers

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Following the fractured verdict in the October 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, both the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party have been grappling with the ‘numbers game’ to secure their respective positions for the past 30 months.

In the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the mid-way mark is 144, while the current strength is 287 as one Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke of Mumbai, passed away recently.

Besides the MVA-BJP, there is a significant 29-strong group of MLAs who are independents or from smaller parties who have become important for both the ruling and opposition side.

The MVA strength is: Shiv Sena (55), NCP (53) and Congress (44), and with the support of smaller parties and independents, the ruling alliance commands around 169 legislators.

The BJP has 106, plus the support of smaller parties and independents giving a strength of around 114.

The rest five are unattached to either group ostensibly to keep their ‘political bargaining power’ evergreen, as was witnessed in this months’ biennial elections to both Rajya Sabha and Maharashtra Legislative Council.

In the ongoing crisis that has gripped the state, Shiv Sena’s senior Minister Eknath Shinde has pitched tent in Surat, Gujarat — ruled by the BJP — and the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Shinde has reportedly gone away with an estimated dozen to two dozen legislators, which has posed a question mark on the MVA’s very survival, though the Sena moved quickly to open up back-channel communication with a majority of the potential disgruntled rebels.

Given the BJP’s past track record of toppling governments in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and other states earlier, the sudden yet un-declared ‘Operation Lotus’ has pushed the MVA government on the brink.

Battling the Shinde conflagration on one side, the MVA allies have also tried to herd and secure their respective legislators besides their supporting smaller parties and independents.

The MVA allies have kept a brave face and maintained that there’s no immediate threat to the government, as indicated by Sena’s Sanjay Raut and Congress’ Prithviraj Chavan, Ashok Chavan and others.

Meanwhile, Shinde is likely to visit Ahmedabad later this evening to meet BJP President J.P. Nadda, Amit Shah, while Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis is also going there.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Urdu Academy should be formed, funds and staff should be appointed for the promotion of Urdu language Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra Legislative Assembly member Abu Asim Azmi has demanded the immediate formation of Urdu Academy to promote Urdu. He said that academies of other languages ​​including Gujarati and Marathi are active, but the condition of Urdu Academy is pathetic. Earlier there were 25 employees in this academy, but now only the superintendent is left. The remaining 24 have retired. The government needs to pay attention to the plight of Urdu.

The formation of this academy will promote Urdu. Azmi demanded that the Urdu Academy is facing difficulties due to the provision of funds. He said that the government allocates Rs 1 crore on paper, but this fund is not provided. Abu Asim Azmi said that Urdu is the language of our country. Whenever the Chief Minister or any other minister speaks in the House, they resort to Urdu poetry. But when it comes to the establishment of Urdu Academy and the development of Urdu language, the government is doing injustice

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Maharashtra

On the third day of Maharashtra Assembly, the opposition protested against the corruption of Rs 3000 crore.

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Mumbai: On the third day of Maharashtra Assembly in Mumbai, the opposition accused the ruling party of corruption and protested on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan, accusing the government of giving contracts to every company of its choice. The state’s construction and development department has given a contract of Rs 3000 crore to Mahagathbandhan government’s Megha Engineering Company. Many shortcomings have been found in the work of this company, but despite this it is dear to the government. Therefore, slogans were raised on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan that giving contract to this company is condemnable. Opposition members were also holding banner posters of contractor Megha Engineering, in which the picture of the owner of Megha Company was also visible. The opposition has intensified its protest against corruption in the Mahagathbandhan government. Shiv Sena opposition leader Ambadas Danve, Congress members and all parties including Congress protested loudly on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan and drew the attention of the government towards this.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai School Teacher Arrested Under POSCO Act For Sexually Assaulting Minor Student Multiple Times Over One Year

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Mumbai: A horrifying case has come forward from a well-known Mumbai school where a 40-year-old English teacher from a renowned Mumbai school was arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student multiple times over a year.

The attacks began after the teacher developed an attraction to the boy while organising dance groups for the school’s annual function in December 2023. Initial advances made in January 2024 were rebuffed by the student, prompting the teacher to enlist a friend to persuade him, claiming such relationships were common. Following this, the teacher picked the boy up, took him to a secluded location, and assaulted him.

According to a report by media, in the ensuing weeks, the teacher provided the student with anti-anxiety medication and arranged outings to luxury hotels, where they had several sexual encounters, often intoxicating him beforehand. The teacher’s arrest has shocked the school community.

The student’s behavioral changes raised concerns with his family, but they decided against reporting the incidents, hoping it would resolve on its own as he neared graduation. After leaving school earlier this year, the student fell into depression, and the situation escalated when the teacher attempted to contact him through the domestic staff. This prompted the family to file a complaint with the police.

Authorities have charged the teacher with penetrative sexual assault and related offenses under the POCSO Act and other relevant laws. The case underscores serious issues concerning student abuse within educational institutions. The teacher has been remanded in police custody until Wednesday, as investigations continue into this disturbing incident involving a minor.

Similar Incident

In another incident a mathematics teacher in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing 24 girl students in classes VIII to X last week. Complaints to the principal led to the teacher’s suspension and subsequent police custody. The Director of School Education initiated an inquiry due to the seriousness of the situation, tasking the Deputy Director of Elementary Education with gathering information promptly. The teacher now faces charges under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO provisions, reflecting the education department’s urgency in addressing these allegations.

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