Maharashtra
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Scramble For Seats In Both Alliances; All Partners Eyeing 100+ Seats

Mumbai: Preparations for the state assembly polls are going none too smoothly, neither for the ruling Mahayuti nor for the Maha Vikas Aghadi. In both cases, alliance partners are seeking to contest close to 100 seats or more.
On Thursday, the mood in the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena was that the party should contest 110 seats. In a meeting at Shinde’s official residence Varsha, where ministers, MPs, MLAs and senior leaders were present, it was announced that party observers had been appointed for the purpose. According to sources, Shinde directed his party members to start preparations for 100 assembly seats. Along with observers, the party will also appoint an in-charge for every assembly seat it wants to contest.
This is in tune with a demand raised at the party’s anniversary day function, where former minister Ramdas Kadam demanded 100 seats in the presence of CM Shinde. The party’s resolve is likely to evoke strong reactions in the Mahayuti as the Ajit Pawar-led NCP is also keen on contesting 85 to 100 seats in the upcoming elections.
Ajit Camp To Contest On 100 Seats
Dharmarao Atram, a senior cabinet member, said the Ajit Pawar-led NCP was keen to contest 100 seats and had started working on it. When a similar demand had been raised by NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal some time ago, it had raised hackles. With Shinde and Pawar both vying for such a big share, the situation appears grim as the BJP will have to reserve its right to contest the maximum number of seats, say Mahayuti sources.
Meanwhile, Shinde has directed his party leaders to spread the word about the state government’s schemes in every home. He has also directed the induction of new members in the party and their enrolment before the election.
Party leaders must also ensure that no clashes take place with any Mahayuti leader, warned Shinde, cautioning that there were likely to be a few seat exchanges among the alliance partners. This message caused unhappiness, as it evoked the runup to the recent Lok Sabha polls, where the party had to change faces in some constituencies.
Apart from this, Shinde said sitting MLAs would be given first preference for tickets. A coordination committee of the Mahayuti would be set up to resolve disputes were they to arise during the elections.
On the other hand, reports from the BJP said two central observers – Union Ministers Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw – had a meeting with senior leaders to discuss poll-related issues.
Yadav, who is the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Vaishnaw, who is the Union Railway Minister, are the in-charge and co-incharge of the party in Maharashtra, respectively. Members of the core committee of the state BJP, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and the party’s state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, were present, party sources said.
The meeting assumes significance in view of a report that appeared in the RSSlinked publication ‘Vivek’ that blamed the BJP’s decision to forge an alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP for the party’s bad performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
100-Plus Race Within MVA Partners Too
MVA partners too firm on big share UBT Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, in a meeting with his party leaders, discussed contesting 100-plus seats, of which 25 would be in Mumbai. The city and suburban district has 36 assembly constituencies, of which 14 were won by the Shiv Sena last time. Only eight MLAs from Mumbai are currently with Thackeray, with the rest of them having crossed over to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
NCP Sharad Chandra Pawar too is keen to contest close to 100 seats. With a major chunk being demanded by state level players, it will be interesting to see how many seats the BJP and Congress – both national parties, are going to contest.
Business
Tesla Mumbai Showroom Now Open, Bookings For Model Y Begin

Elon Musk’s Tesla has flagged off its India operations with its first showroom in Mumbai now open. The showroom is located in Mumbai’s premium Bandra Kurla Complex area. It will be showcasing the popular Model Y and Model 3 cars at the venue. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis arrived at the first Tesla showroom in India, to commemorate the occasion.
The new Mumbai showroom opening marks the entry of Tesla in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing automobile markets. The showroom, at Maker Maxity in BKC, is around 4,000 sq ft large and is said to cost Rs. 35 lakh per month. While customers will be able to book their cars starting today, delivery is said to commence sometime in August. Delivery and registration are only limited to Delhi, Gurugram and Mumbai for now.
The experience centre is located near the Apple flagship store in BKC. Tesla is said to open a showroom isn Delhi as well. While this is a soft launch, the company is expected to do a grand inauguration as well. To book the Model Y or the Model 3, consumers will need to head to the Mumbai experience store.
Musk’s company has imported all the cars fully assembled from China, paying heavy taxes (approximately 70 percent) on the same. The cars are said to be priced starting at around Rs. 40 lakhs in India.
The spotlight will be on the Model Y, which is the most popular variant of Tesla across the world. The SUV is available globally in two variants, Long Range RWD and Long Range AWD (Dual Motor). It claims to offer up to 574 km and goes from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.6 seconds.
The Model 3, Tesla’s most affordable offering in the Indian market, will also be showcased but is expected to go on sale later in 2025. The top variant of the Model 3 clocks 0 to 100 kmph in 3.1 seconds, has a range of 507 km, and a top speed of 162 kmph.
Tesla India has reportedly leased a 24,500-square-foot space in Mumbai’s Kurla West to set up a service centre, located close to its upcoming showroom in BKC.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Govt Plans Crackdown On Drug Menace; CM Devendra Fadnavis Announces Special Drive, Legal Reforms

Mumbai: To deliver a blow to the drug menace, the state government is mulling several moves, including lowering the age of juveniles in drug-related cases, a special narcotics drive and preparing standard operating procedures (SOP) for handling foreigners like Nigerians involved in drug trafficking.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Makes The Announcement
CM Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement in the assembly on Monday, after MLA Vilas Bhumre from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar moved a calling attention motion on the issue. The latter’s concerns were echoed by Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai. Bhumre expressed grave concern over the easy availability of drugs in his constituency, stating that MD, ketamin and even synthetic drugs were being openly sold.
Similarly, Sardesai, pointed out that several densely populated slum areas in Bandra East had become hotbeds for open drug peddling. He alleged that police often hesitate to enter these congested areas. “These (Nigerian) accused often commit another minor crime to avoid deportation, which delays justice and complicates their legal status,” Sardesai said.
Fadnavis assured that a special drive will be carried out in the Behrampada, Bharat Nagar, Golibar, and Naupada areas of Bandra East. He added that talks are on with the Centre regarding SOPs for handling accused foreigners. “The Centre has informed us that in cases involving minor offences, legal withdrawal of minor charges followed by immediate deportation could be considered,” the CM said.
Maharashtra
‘4 RDX IED Bombs Placed In Tower..’: Bombay Stock Exchange Receives Bomb Threat

Mumbai: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) received a bomb threat via email on Tuesday morning, claiming that four RDX IED bombs were planted in BSE tower, set to detonate at 3 PM. The email originated from an ID named “Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan.”
In response, the police and bomb squad swiftly arrived at the site to conduct a thorough search, finding no suspicious objects. A case has been filed at the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station against an unidentified individual under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The threat led to immediate action by BSE officials, who alerted Mumbai police. Historical context reveals that the BSE was previously targeted in a devastating terrorist attack on March 12, 1993, resulting in significant casualties and damage.
the stock market saw a rebound after four days of decline. The Sensex and Nifty indices improved due to a significant drop in retail inflation to a six-year low of 2.1% in June, aligning with the Reserve Bank of India’s comfort zone.
The recovery was additionally supported by positive signals from Wall Street, with the BSE Sensex rising by 203.95 points, reaching 82,457.41, and the NSE Nifty increasing by 68.85 points to 25,151.15. Notable gainers included Sun Pharma and Bharti Airtel, while HCL Technologies faced a decline of nearly 3% following a reported drop in net profit for the June quarter, despite raising its revenue growth guidance.
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