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Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 Results: Did Uddhav Thackeray’s Candidate Choices Cost Him Mumbai?

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The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election results have brought unexpected setbacks for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) faced a tough challenge against the Mahayuti alliance. In Mumbai, Thackeray’s Shiv Sena contested 22 of the 36 seats but only managed to win 10. Meanwhile, the BJP secured 15 out of 19 contested seats, while Eknath Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena claimed 6 out of 14 seats. The defeat of Thackeray’s faction can largely be attributed to poor candidate selection, with reports suggesting that misjudgments by certain party leaders contributed to the loss. Several constituencies highlight how these wrong choices led to Thackeray’s downfall, even when his party had a clear chance to win.

Andheri East Constituency: Andheri East was another key battleground. Following the death of Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke, a by-election was held in October 2022, where Rutuja Latke, Ramesh’s wife, was fielded as the candidate. While she initially won unopposed due to the withdrawal of BJP’s Murji Patel, her term as an MLA was marred by accusations of inactivity and failure to meet local expectations. Despite repeated requests from party workers for a change, Rutuja Latke was selected again, which led to her loss to Murji Patel of Shinde’s Shiv Sena by 25,000 votes.

Kurla Constituency: In Kurla, the UBT Shiv Sena’s decision to nominate Praveena Morajkar, despite strong backing for Ashwin Malik Meshram from both Maratha and Muslim communities, caused unrest. Morajkar, a former corporator, faced opposition from party workers and community leaders. Meshram, who had wide support, was bypassed due to internal party pressure. This strategic misstep handed the advantage to Mangesh Kudalkar of Shinde’s Shiv Sena, who claimed victory in an area where the MVA had previously enjoyed a 25,000 vote lead.

Chembur Constituency: The Chembur seat saw a direct contest between Tukaram Kate of Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Prakash Phatarpekar of Uddhav’s faction. Phatarpekar, who had won this seat in 2019, lost this time by over 10,000 votes. The loss is attributed to party infighting and opposition to Phatarpekar’s candidacy. Local party leaders had recommended Anil Patankar for the ticket, but the decision to back Phatarpekar, influenced by the Yuva Sena Chief, backfired. Additionally, Chembur has historically been a Congress stronghold, and local dissatisfaction over unresolved infrastructure issues like metro and monorail projects weakened Phatarpekar’s position, leading to his defeat.

Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has repeatedly fallen into the trap of selecting candidates based on sympathy or internal party pressure, rather than merit or popular support. Critics argue that the party’s arrogance following its Lok Sabha victories played a role in its downfall in Mumbai. Opposition figures have even mocked the MVA, stating, “The MVA lost in Mumbai due to the arrogance of their Lok Sabha success.” It’s clear that Uddhav Thackeray needs to reflect on his party’s performance and understand where the mistakes were made in Mumbai.

Maharashtra

I am grateful to Uddhav Thackeray: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis targeted Uddhav Thackeray and said that Uddhav Thackeray did not say a single word about development works in the Dussehra rally. I am grateful to him because he saved me Rs 1,000. I had said that Uddhav Thackeray would not talk about development works and that is what happened, that is why I have saved Rs 1,000. Fadnavis said that instead of politicizing the floods in the state, there is a need for assistance. He said that the way the government has helped the flood-affected areas has definitely brought some relief. Along with this, Fadnavis called Rahul Gandhi a liar for targeting the country’s democracy abroad and said that Rahul Gandhi does not believe in democracy, that is why he lies. His grandmother Indira Gandhi had imposed emergency in the country. Now, democracy in the country is in danger.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti worshipped weapons on Dussehra Vijayadashmi

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Mumbai: On the occasion of Dussehra, weapons and ammunition were worshipped at Mumbai Police today by Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. Devin Bharti was accompanied by Joint Police Commissioner (Administration) Jaikumar, Additional Commissioner Vanita Sahu, DCP (Zone LV) Ragasudha R, DCP (LA-Naigaon) Anand Bhute and other senior officers. Weapons and ammunition were also worshipped at various police stations in Mumbai on Dussehra. In Mumbai city, the police had made strict security arrangements in view of Dussehra, along with which the police had also made arrangements for the immersion of Durga Devi. The Mumbai Police Commissioner has shared the pictures of the weapons worship on his X account after the weapons worship. The weapons worship ceremony was held in Naigaon. After the puja pot, the puja process was completed by placing flowers on the hands.

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Crime

Mumbai: EOW Initiates Enquiry Into ₹325 Crore Shipping & Logistics Scam

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Mumbai: A massive corporate fraud of over ₹325 crore has come to light in Mumbai’s shipping and logistics sector. Vishal Mehta, Director of Rushabh Sealink & Logistics Pvt. Ltd., has filed a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police, prompting a detailed Preliminary Enquiry.

According to sources, Mehta’s complaint accuses ALX Shipping Agencies India Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Allcargo Logistics Ltd.), Dubai-based Aladdin Express DMCC, and OEL Express India Pvt. Ltd. of orchestrating the fraud. The complaint alleges that these companies lured him into ship operations with promises of guaranteed profits. Initial transactions appeared genuine, but later, crores of rupees were siphoned off under the guise of new deals.

Major Scam Linked to Ships ‘Leela Mombasa’ and ‘XXH-2’ :  The largest fraud is linked to shipments on Leela Mombasa and XXH-2. The Leela Mombasa was scheduled to dock at Nhava Sheva on August 1, 2025, but instead arrived late on August 13 and was diverted to Oman instead of Djibouti, carrying cargo worth ₹130 crore. Meanwhile, on August 26, Mehta was allegedly extorted for USD 1 million (approx. ₹8.3 crore).

The accused reportedly claimed they lacked funds to move the ships further. Despite payments, the vessels failed to reach on time. Leela Mombasa only arrived at Djibouti on September 15, while XXH-2 was diverted from Jeddah to Karachi and held for 10 days. Adding to the fraud, security cheques issued by ALX and OEL Express bounced—one due to insufficient funds and another due to signature mismatch.

As a result, goods worth over ₹290 crore remain under the accused’s control, causing heavy losses to exporters. Calling it a “well-planned corporate conspiracy,” Mehta alleged that both Indian and foreign company executives were involved. The complaint specifically names ALX Shipping Agencies India Pvt. Ltd., Allcargo Logistics Ltd., Aladdin Express DMCC, and OEL Express India Pvt. Ltd., along with senior representatives including Sandeep Bakshi, Ravi Jakhar, Vikas Khan, Ali Khan, Wing Kit Tsoi (Mr. Andy), Abdullah, and Mohammed Rizwan Sheikh.

“This is not just about one company but about the credibility of India’s shipping and logistics industry,” Mehta said. “We have provided all evidence to the authorities. The involvement of international firms like Aladdin Express DMCC and stakeholders such as Allcargo Logistics, Hutchison Port, and Vikas Khan shows the global scale of the scam. We trust EOW and regulatory agencies will conduct a fair and transparent investigation.”

EOW officials confirmed that a preliminary inquiry has been registered. All individuals and companies named in the complaint have been summoned with documents to record their statements.

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