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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT Downplay Seat-Sharing Dispute; MVA Decision Expected Today

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Mumbai: All talk of the camaraderie between the Congress and the Shiv Sena – partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi — has proved hollow, with both sides refusing to mend their respective ways, thereby delaying the announcement of the division of seats among the three partners. Finally, with the two allies having denied any major conflict over seat-sharing, an announcement is now likely to be made on Tuesday.

About The Ongoing Squabble

The ongoing squabble has revealed the cracks within, as it was being said that the MVA had reached consensus on 260 seats. But this figure came down to 210 on Monday. The Congress announced it had finalised its plan for 96 seats by Monday evening, and that the dispute with the Sena was over four or five seats. But Sena leaders say there were 12 seats in dispute.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders are reportedly trying to resolve the seat distribution dispute through discussions with NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray. On Monday, news about the Sena planning to contest all the 288 seats on its own created a flutter in political circles but it was short-lived, as the party quickly denied any such move. The Congress high command is believed to have asked its leader Vijay Wadettiwar to make the party stand clear. Rejecting any Plan B, he said the MVA was going to finalise the deal by Tuesday in Mumbai. Wadettiwar told mediapersons in Delhi, “By tomorrow evening, we will finalise 17 seats. There are issues on six or seven seats in Vidarbha, and that too will be resolved. We are going to contest as Aghadi…Since there are three parties sharing 288 seats, it took a little time.”

The Congress election incharge for the assembly elections, Ramesh Chennithala, denied reports of differences among the INDIA bloc partners in Maharashtra in the MVA, claiming that they were united.

The Congress had two crucial meetings in Delhi – that of the screening committee and the central election committee, to finalise the list of the candidates. Speaking after the meetings, MPCC chief Nana Patole stated that discussions regarding 96 seats had been completed, and further talks will take place on Tuesday with Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

Addressing rumours of the Shiv Sena leaving the alliance, he said, “There is no truth to that; the BJP is deliberately trying to spread misunderstanding about the opposition parties. Out of fear of defeat, the BJP is playing such games. The Congress has made no such statements. All our efforts are focused on bringing the Maha Vikas Aghadi to power in Maharashtra.”

About The Dispute

The dispute with Shiv Sena pertains to seat allocation in Vidarbha, where the Congress has an edge compared to its two allies. The party doesnʼt want to accommodate the Shiv Sena in the east Vidarbha region it is said. Incidentally, Patole belongs to Bhandara, from the same region. There are reports of disputes over nearly 12 seats in Vidarbha. Additionally, sources indicate that Congress is aggressively seeking certain seats in Mumbai.

On Monday afternoon, there was tension when electronic media channels ran reports of Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis having a meeting with Uddhav Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut reportedly having met Home Minister Amit Shah. Both the Congress and Shiv Sena termed the reports as baseless, with some choice words from Raut. Both the parties blamed the BJP for spreading such ‘newsʼ.

Raut said these news items were just rumours being spread by the ruling sideʼs media machinery. “We know who is doing it and why. We too have our own small ‘Pegasus’ set-up which keeps us informed,’’ said the MP, referring to the Israeli spyware controversy

Maharashtra

Mumbai MIDC Police major operation… Accused wanted in Bhangarh Galle murder case 9 years ago arrested from Karnataka

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Mumbai: The police have claimed to have arrested a fugitive accused who was wanted for 9 years in a murder case. He was arrested during a search in Goa and Karnataka. In 2017, a tea vendor’s brother, Vizagullah Mohsin, was called by his acquaintance and then in a Bhangarh area under the MIDC limits, Sahib Rao said that he had informed the police. After that, Sahib Rao along with Feroz, Sabir Ali and others surrounded Vizagullah and his relative and then attacked Vizagullah with a pipe from Lokhand, which led to his death. The police had already arrested 6 accused in this murder case. In this, the wanted accused Mehtab Alam Azmatullah was the absconding accused and he was later declared a declared accused. After that, the police received information about the absconding accused that he was hiding his identity and working as a Scorpio in Karnataka. On this basis, the police confirmed it from his relatives and his social media accounts and then laid a trap and arrested him from Karnataka. This action has been taken by Senior Inspector Ghanshyam Nair of DCP Dutta Nalode MIDC on the behest of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Mayor is also unaware of the tender for the Mayor’s Bungalow, the bungalow is surrounded by a garden and this work is under the purview of the Garden and Maintenance Department.

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Regarding the tender for the Mumbai Mayor’s bungalow, Mayor Ritu Tawde has expressed her ignorance about the tender. The Mayor’s bungalow is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India and the tender that has been called is not related to the bungalow and the Mayor is also unaware of it. Various media outlets have reported that a new tender has been floated for the services and amenities related to the residence of the Mumbai Mayor. The explanation of this matter is given below.

The residence of the Mayor of Mumbai is located in the premises of the Virmata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo. The maintenance, repair and upkeep of the entire garden and zoo premises is done by the concerned Garden and Zoo Department.

The Mayor’s residence is a heritage structure, and the work related to it is done by the Heritage Maintenance Department. It has been clearly stated that this tender was not floated by the Maintenance Department.

Therefore, it is clarified that the tender in question and the works described therein relate to the surrounding areas and the zoo premises as a whole, and not to the Mayor’s residence itself. The Mayor has no knowledge of this tender nor does the Mayor have any reason to be aware of it. Furthermore, the Mayor did not request these works. It is specifically noted that the proposed works are not located within the Mayor’s bungalow. The Department and officers who handled the entire tender process have full knowledge of the need for these works and the relevant administrative procedures. Consequently, it is requested not to attempt to link the Mayor with this tender process or the work involved.

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Maharashtra

Mankhurd: Unused toilets in Shivaji Nagar will be converted into a free pharmacy, a gym for women, and a kindergarten: Abu Azmi.

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Mumbai: Many public toilets in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar assembly constituency are in a very dilapidated (out of repair) condition. At many places, these toilets are not needed by the local citizens and are unused. Local MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded that all such unused and dilapidated toilets be bulldozed at the earliest and this land be used for public welfare works. MLA Azmi has expressed his determination to build a ‘generic medical shop’, a modern ‘gym’ for women only and a ‘kindergarten’ for children on these lands for the convenience of the citizens. In this regard, correspondence has been written to the Municipal Commissioner and the administrative officers of ‘M East’ ward and it is strongly demanded that this proposal be approved at the earliest. Public places should be used for the direct benefit of the people. Removing unused toilets and providing medical and social facilities there will greatly benefit the women and children of the area. If the administration gives immediate permission, we will start the real work.

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